The government on Wednesday said gross collections under various small savings schemes of the Indian Post increased by about 9 per cent to Rs 2,74,720 crore (Rs 2,747.2 billion) in 2010-11 in comparison to the previous year.
"The gross collection under various small savings schemes during 2009-10 and 2010-11 were Rs 2,50,931 crore (Rs 2,509.31 billion) and Rs 2,74,720 crore [Rs 2747.20 billion] (provisional), respectively," Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
"The gross collection has registered an increase of 8.78 per cent as compared to the previous year's collection," he added.
"Central and state governments take various measures from time-to-time
to promote and popularise small savings schemes through the print and electronic media, as well as holding seminars, meetings and providing training to various agencies involved in mobilising deposits under various small savings schemes," he said.
Responding to another question, Pilot said 24,015 post offices have been computerised and upgraded.
In addition, under the "look and feel" component of the Indian Post's 'Project Arrow', 1,530 post offices have been given a face-lift, he added.
Pilot said Rs 228.50 crore (Rs 2.28 billion) was allocated for the project in 2008-09, Rs 178.01 crore (Rs 1.78 billion) in 2009-10, Rs 244.64 crore (Rs 2.44 billion) in 2010-11 and Rs 88.38 crore (Rs 883.8 million) during 2011-12.
