Centre to close Postal Printing Press in BBSR

| | BHUBANESWAR | in Bhubaneswar

The Centre has decided to close the Postal Printing Press located at Mancheswar Industrial Estate here very soon.

A notice has been served to the Chief Post Master General (CPMG) of the Odisha Postal Circle by the Department of Posts on May 9 directing him for closure of the printing press.

The decision was taken at a committee of Secretaries meeting held on April 27 in New Delhi following a proposal recommending winding up the printing operation in Bhubaneswar.

As the printing units of the postal department would be closed, the authorities directed the department officials in Bhubaneswar not to purchase papers and other items required for printing. They asked to send the documents and data of all the employees working at the press to the Centre for rehabilitation.

However, there is no specific date mentioned in the notice to close the press.

The move has triggered sharp reactions among the existing employees who are especially from Odisha and those depending on the press indirectly. The press employees’ association has decided to stage demonstrations against closure of the press and urge the Odisha Government to intervene in the matter.

The postal printing press, under the Department of Posts, was set up in an area of four acres allotted by the Odisha Government through the Idco in 1987. Initially, the press was functional with 230 employees. The number of employees is now 146 following transfer and retirement of the staffs subsequently.

Almost all types of official items of the postal department including forms, books, passbook, savings bank passbook and accounts book were being printed at the press. While 1,400 types of forms are required across the country, only 400 types of forms were being printed from here.

The country requires 1.20 lakh MT prints whereas only 2,000 MT prints are made per year at the press.

Although the printing press is equipped with advanced machines and skilled workers, it is not able to meet requirement of the department due to shortage of staffs, sources said.