Boost to people

Munger, Jan. 14: The much-publicised small saving scheme of the Union government, known as “Kisan Vikas Patra”, re-launched by the Centre in November 2014, has received a major setback in Munger, Bhagalpur and other postal divisions of Bihar since January 1.

The 34 head- and sub-post offices of Munger division and the 53 head- and sub-post offices of Bhagalpur division have been facing acute shortage of Kisan Vikas Patras (KVPs) since the start of the year. Other postal divisions of Bihar, too, have been facing such a shortage.

Small investors in thousands, mostly of low-income groups, have been deprived of such popular saving scheme for a fortnight.

Willing investors have been visiting post offices and have been returning disappointed every working day.

S.P. Mandal, the postal superintendent of Munger division, said: “I have sent several reminders to the Patna-based central store depot to supply KVPs to the Munger postal circle immediately but in vain. Officials of the central store depot have informed him that they have not received the supply of KVPs from the Nasik Printing Press so far.”

Madho Prasad Singh, the postmaster of the head post office of Munger division, said: “The popular small saving scheme, Kisan Vikas Patra, was re-launched by the Centre in November 14 last year. In December 2014, the Munger postal division, having 34 post offices, sold Kisan Vikas Patra of Rs 7 crore. But from January 1, the supply of KVPs was suddenly stopped by the central store depot. Small investors have been returning disappointed from all the post offices on every working day.”

The postmaster general, Bihar, A.S. Prasad, said: “I don’t know the actual shortage situation of Kisan Vikas Patra in Bihar. But there exists acute shortage of KVPs in Bihar these days because the Nasik Printing Press has failed to meet the requirements of KVPs. As soon as the Central Store Depot gets the supply from the Nasik press, KVPs will be sent to all the post offices in Bihar immediately.”

National savings agent Rajesh Kumar Sharma told The Telegraph: “More than 250 agents in the Munger division, have been badly hit by the shortage of KVPs. Our clients are the ultimate sufferers. I urge the Union government to ensure regular supply of KVPs.’

Investor Geeta Roy of Sultanganj said: “I was happy to hear the re-launch of Kisan Vikas Patra but I was also disappointed because the post offices are running short of KVPs these days. The KVP scheme is the very popular among small investors.”

Investors get their funds doubled in eight years and four months. The scheme is a powerful tool for the economic empowerment of low-income group people.