Gangajal scheme at post office gets tepid response

Pavneet Singh Chadha

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 20

The Centre's scheme of selling bottled holy Ganga water at post offices has received a tepid response across the state.

In the Punjab circle, since the scheme was launched in July 2016, sale of only 3,400 bottles (200 ml) and 2,889 bottles (500 ml) have been recorded at the 22 designated head post offices in the state.

Officials at the Department of Posts said over 5,927 bottles remained in stock. In Chandigarh, only 838 bottles have been sold in the past 18 months.

SS Kaushal, Senior Postmaster, General Post Office (GPO), Sector 17, said there had been a 'mild' response. "The government had started the initiative to help people procure the holy water so that they do not have to visit Varanasi or Allahabad. There needs to be more awareness and promotion, especially in rural areas," he said.

Two variants of Gangajal, sourced from Rishikesh and Gangotri, were supposed to be sold at kiosks in 13 divisions in Punjab. However, officials at the GPO said since July 10, 2016, when the scheme was introduced, the supply of bottled Gangajal was only coming from Rishikesh.

A senior official on the condition of anonymity said, "We are only getting the stock from Rishikesh. We were informed that the Gangotri variant was delayed due to closure of shrine gates (kapat). We have written to Uttarakhand circle regarding the delay in the Gangajal from Gangotri. The water is being packaged in two types of bottles - with a capacity of 200ml priced at Rs 15 and 500ml priced at Rs 26.

Orders can also be placed online through e-post and dispatched from Sansad Marg Post office in Delhi.

Bhanu Sahay, Postal Assistant, Business Development Cell, said the sale of bottles spiked during festive season. "During Diwali, people purchase the holy water since it is considered sacred. Besides, priests and elderly buy Gangajal for religious reasons. Some purchase it exclusively on days of solar or lunar eclipse due to certain prevalent myths."