Postal-tariffs have not been revised for last so many years resulting in undesired loss to public-exchequer due to negligible tariff like of 25 or 50 paise still prevailing even though coins in denominations less than rupee one are no more in circulation. Minimum postal-tariff for registered newspapers and ordinary post-cards should be rupee one with these post-cards fetching additional revenue through advertisements printed on postcards. Outdated Inland Letter Cards having lost utility should be discontinued.
Thereafter all postal-tariffs (inland and international) should be in multiples of rupees ten. Printed or rubber-stamped post-cards and ordinary mail should have tariff of rupees ten with weight-slabs for mail-articles fixed in multiples of 50 gms rather than of 20 gms at present. This will fetch more revenue, and will be more economical for users of postal services with tariff for ordinary mail at rupees 5 for 20 gms or part being revised to rupees 10 for 50 gms or part.
It is senseless to have GST on select premium postal-services like Speed Post with tax-money going from one pocket of government to other. Otherwise also present irrational tariff for Speed Post making it economical than ordinary post should be made rational by having common tariff for local and non-local Speed Post articles being equal tariff-rise for every 50 gms (or part) weight slab with GST abolished. It can be rupees 20 or 30 for every 50 gms weight-slab both for local and non-local.
Sponsored postage stamps should be introduced with advertisers paying for every printed postage stamp with their advertisements and also making purchase of some minimum number of sponsored postage stamps. This will make further addition to revenue when advertisers of sponsored postage stamps will prefer postal-service to private couriers to use postage stamps carrying their advertisements.
MADHU AGRAWAL