CHENNAI,
March 17, 2016
Every day, staff members at the Anna Nagar post office
handle queries from workers from other States, who wait to get
applications for a postal identity card. Migrant workers submit nearly
50 per cent of the applications that the post offices receive for these
postal ID cards.
The postal ID card is the most
preferred photo identity proof for many who do not have any other
documents. However, some of the migrant workers continue to have
problems in getting the cards as they are unable to produce the relevant
documents while applying for them.
When V. Rakesh,
who works at a hotel in Kilpauk, applied for a postal card, he had to
produce a letter from his house owner to get one. Moreover, his
application was rejected as he was staying in the accommodation provided
above the hotel.
On an average, post offices in the
city receive about 4,000 applications for ID cards every month.
Officials of the postal department said students and people who shifted
to the city to work in hotels and shops as well as construction workers
opt for postal ID cards as a basic document to get any other address
proof. Many Chennai Metro Rail Limited staff too prefer it.
Besides
serving as a valid document to open bank accounts, it can be produced
as proof during train travel and also to obtain services like LPG
connections. However, some face difficulty in getting applications. They
are required to furnish a letter from their house owner, but many
landlords do not provide their address proof.
Officials
of the postal department said rental agreement or rent receipt is also
accepted as a document along with the application. “We have simplified
the verification process to reduce rejection rate, but do not issue them
to people who cannot read or write as it may be misused by others,”
said an official.
Since the introduction of the service in 2008, nearly 3.7 lakh cards have been issued in the Chennai city region.
Source : http://www.thehindu.com/
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