Centre to set up 1.50 lakh information kiosks

The Centre has drawn up a Rs 40,000 crore plan to set up 1.5 lakh information kiosks in association with the postal department across the country to enable people acquaint themselves with various welfare schemes, Minister of state in PMO V Narayanasamy said today.
He said the government had already released Rs 20,000 crore for such kiosks in the first phase. People, particularly those in vulnerable areas, would receive information in advance about the onset of cyclone and other disasters.
Narayanasamy said post offices have distinguished themselves with mobilisation of small savings. Around 18 per cent of the population patronised post offices to maintain savings accounts, he said.

He was speaking after laying the foundation stone of two post offices here.
Naryanasamy expressed shock over the "failure" of the AINRC government here in approaching the Centre for funds for developmental activities. Neither Chief Minister N Rangasamy nor any of his ministerial colleagues had approached the Centre with requests in this regard, he said.
He said the Centre had already sanctioned Rs 120 crore for tourism developmental projects in Puducherry, besides Rs 70 crore for Information Technology training centre and a similar amount for e-governance programme in government departments.
"The Prime Minister and UPA chairperson are keen on holistic development of all states and so Puducherry government should make use of the facilities available from the Centre," Naryanasamy said.

Suneeta Trivedi, Member of the Planning wing in the Postal Services Board, Delhi highlighted the services of the post offices in the union territory.