Delay at upgraded Chennai post offices irks customers

Customers of T. Nagar head post office have had a tough time over the past few days, spending long hours on transactions that otherwise take a few minutes.

The department of posts had recently launched core banking facility in select post offices across the State, including at Tambaram head post office, old college buildings post office, Nungambakkam and Greams Road.

Several customers said they had to wait for hours after obtaining tokens to carry out simple transactions. The delay was due to the new software adopted as part of core banking facility.

Many residents who had travelled from areas such as Perambur had to wait till late afternoon for their turn.

Sixty-three-old R.S. Sundaram, a resident of Porur, said: “I came around 10 a.m. but had to wait my turn till 3 p.m. Though there were 10 counters, there were not enough staff members to handle the customers. Also, the bank had no drinking water facility.”

Many customers said the department must make an announcement about the time taken to complete transactions and adjust to the new system to avoid such hassles.

Officials of the postal department said more staff members would be posted in such post offices to handle the customers. “We are trying to solve the initial hiccups in the new system. Customers need not spend too much time at the counters once the automated teller machine is ready by month-end,” said an official.

Source : http://www.thehindu.com