The Work of the Indian Post Office

THE work of the Postal Department in India is increasing rapidly. During the year 1916-17, there were 96,260 postal officials and 19,409 post offices and 157,566 miles of mail lines. According to the report of the Director General, over 1087 million articles were posted and Rs. 3.11 crores worth of postal stamps were sold. Over 33 million money orders of the total value of Rs. 63 crores were collected through the value payable system. Insured articles number over 3 million. It is interesting to learn that pensions amounting to over 43 lakhs were paid to military pensioners through the Post Office and in all 16873 lbs. of quinine were sold to the public through this agency. The number of savings bank accounts was 1,647,419 with a total balance of Rs. 16 ½ crores. The total revenue amounted to 4 crores and 11 lakhs while the total expenditure was Rs. 3 crores and 54 lakhs.