spreading Awareness

Ranchi, June 30: The state health department is not concerned about family planning alone. The postal department, too, is now playing an active role.

The postal department of the Jharkhand circle has entered the domain with all its branches, including those based in the villages, stocking condoms for sale. Rakshak, a super deluxe condom brand, are available at post offices at one-third its price.

On Friday, the postal department at Doranda had sold condoms to 55 persons. Though the original price of the three-piece condom pack is Rs 15, the product is being sold at a subsidised rate of Rs 5 only.

In fact, there is no special counter to buy condoms. One could purchase it at the stamps counter itself.

Now all the 3,200 post offices across the cities and villages would sell condoms.

“We wanted Rakshak condoms to be available to couples living in villages. This would help the cause of family planning,” said Anil Kumar, the director of postal services, Jharkhand circle.

He felt the postal department would get a good response in the urban areas as well, though they are targeting rural Jharkhand.

“For villagers, post offices are familiar institutions and they would feel comfortable to purchase condoms from there,” Kumar added.

This is not the first time that post offices are selling condoms. In the 1980s, post offices had taken up a similar mission to spread awareness and propagate family planning, which lasted a few years.

In three months from July, all the branches of the postal department would be involved in collecting electricity bill for the JSEB at no extra cost.

The postal department also has plans to extend the service to the consumers’ doorstep. However, this facility would be offered at a fee, which will be charged from the consumer.

“We will charge a very nominal amount, though,” said Kumar.

The state postal department is also involved in several other non-postal works like distributing iron tablets to pregnant women and stocking sanitary napkins, among others, which are sold at a subsidised rate.