Kalimpong, Jan. 1: The subdivisional post office will be promoted to the status of a head post office by the end of this month.

“I was requested to convert the Kalimpong subdivisional post office to a head post office when I was in Kalimpong for the inaugural ceremony of the winter fest on December 24,” said John Samuel, postmaster-general, north Bengal and Sikkim region.

Samuel said he was also pleased with the post office’s active participation in the fest. It had organised a philately exhibition and launched first day covers.

Subhash Darnal, inspector of post of Kalimpong subdivision, said: “We need to complete some maintenance work. We hope to begin operating as the head post office by the end of this month.”

“Earlier, it took about one month to transact money. The same procedure will be completed in around a week’s time because we will no longer have to depend on Darjeeling head post office for calculating interests and issuing cheques.”

At present, the subdivisional post office provides Speed Post facilities and introduced Western Union Money Transfer last month. It also sells stamps and greeting cards. “Express Parcel Post facility and computerisation of the post ofice are also in the pipeline,” said Darnal.