THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ordinary stamps have become rarer than the rare stamps. This is no exaggeration as many have started affixing commemorative stamps of smaller denominations, because, ordinary stamps costing less than Rs 15 are no longer available in the district. There were many who were forced to buy Rs 15 stamps for a Rs 4 post.
The public have been buying commemorative stamps from the philately bureau of the General Post Office. The commemorative stamps issued in limited numbers are bought normally by collectors. They can be sold over the counter, after six months of issuing.
Director of Postal Services Thomas Lourd Raj said that the non-availability of the ordinary stamps of smaller denominations was because of a shortage in the supply of stamps from Nashik. “There is a shortage in the supply of stamps from India Security Press in Nashik, which is the central supplying agency of postage stamps. We have taken up the matter with the directorate. However, the situation has not caused much of a problem as multipurpose counter machines as well as franking machines allow one to send registered posts without affixing stamps,” he said.
The offices in Thiruvananthapuram South Division are the worst affected. There are more than 50 offices in the South Division, including at Vithura, Karakulam, Nedumangad, Sasthamangalam, Kowdiar, Peroorkada, Manacaud and Karamana.
Officials say this could be because of the South Division Head Office being shifted from Thycaud to Poojappura.
Registered newspapers, book packets, periodicals and registered posts of private firms are some of the posts which require stamps of smaller denominations. Small denomination stamps also serve as the fractions. For example, a book post which costs Rs 4 for the first 100 gm, can be made up of four Re 1 stamps.
The firms which don’t need to affix a stamps are the ones who avail the service of Remotely Managed Franking Services (RMFS), or those who come to the post office to send registered posts. Some firms which regularly send posts in bulk are given a credit facility, if their credentials can be verified.
The main offices can do without stamps as they have franking machines. However, installing a franking machine in every post office is not economically viable.
Inlands, letters and cards may be passe in the age of e-mails. However, stamps cannot yet be phased out, as is proven by the mounting demand for them.
Source : http://www.newindianexpress.com/
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