Sub-postmaster Hiramani Pandit (below) and her trusted colleagues — postal assistant Anamika Kumari and clerical staff Neha Kumari — mean business from Day One on their new turf near Old Court, Sakchi, on Wednesday. Pictures by Animesh Sengupta

On March 8, 2013, New Delhi became the first Indian city to launch an all-women post office.

Five months down the line, history repeated itself in Jamshedpur. On Wednesday, the steel hub became the first city of Jharkhand to boast ‘fair’ postal services.

The all-women post office was inaugurated by chief postmaster-general of Jharkhand Postal Circle Abhay Sekhar Prasad near Old Court in Sakchi at 3pm. Speaking on the occasion, Prasad promised the next launch in Ranchi.

The new letter hub of the steel city is equipped with services like speed post, banking, e-payment, instant money order and electronic transmission of money order. It has replaced a sub-post office that had existed in the same location for the past several years.

Sub-postmaster Hiramani Pandit is, currently, leading a team of two — postal assistant Anamika Kumari and clerical staff Neha Kumari. The strength will be reinforced soon.

“I have been in postal services for more than 10 years. But, this is a different and happy experience. I am very glad to be a part of the state’s first all-women post office. We will provide the best possible services to our customers,” Pandit told The Telegraph.

Customers were all smiles too. “The comfort level was more. The women staff were very courteous. I hope the efficiency level is maintained,” said Manju Sheel, who sent a registry post to the banking recruitment board in Delhi.

On its debut day, the post office saw 160 registry letters and speed posts. Recurring deposits worth Rs 12,000 were opened, besides monthly investment scheme worth Rs 36,963. Kisan Vikas Patra worth Rs 36,963 were also issued.

Chief postmaster-general Prasad said the department had decided to open the first post office of its kind in Jamshedpur because of the city’s high percentage of women postal employees.

“Around 12 per cent employees in Jamshedpur postal circle are women, which is quite high in the state and this was the reason for opening the first branch here. We will also open one in Ranchi soon,” Prasad said.

Postmaster-general K.K. Sinha said they would augment the staff strength from three to eight. “We also plan to improve infrastructure,” he added.