Guwahati, May 7: Receiving money from abroad has now become a lot easier, thanks to the Western Union Money Transfer service. Introduced by the postal department in 2001, the service has made a total of 335 transactions in the year 2002-03 in the Assam postal circle alone.
“The service is available at all the 19 head post offices and five mukhya dakghars as well as two important sub post-offices in Assam,” said M.K. Banerjee, chief postmaster general, Assam circle.
The international money transfer service was introduced in collaboration with the Western Union Financial Services International, USA. The services were made available at selected post offices. “The scheme, which allows only one-way passage, is the fastest way to receive money from people residing abroad through the network of the Western Union Financial Services International,” said Banerjee.
Using the latest electronic technology, the network of Western Union allows immediate payout in 178 countries. “Each transfer is protected by a world-class security system and can be verified with a control number as well as an original password chosen by the customer,” said Banerjee.
A customer service centre has been set up at the Guwahati GPO to serve as an interface between the Western Union customers and post offices in Assam postal circle where this service is available. “We are receiving good response in Karimganj, Nagaon and Guwahati. Most of the transactions in Assam are from North America and the Gulf countries. A maximum of 2,500 US dollars and not more than 12 transactions are allowed in a year,” said V.C. Roy, director of postal services, Guwahati.
The transaction of foreign money is regulated by norms set by the Reserve Bank of India. All payments exceeding Rs 50,000 should be made by cheques, demand drafts or direct credit to the account of the recipient.
“In exceptional circumstances, where the recipient is a foreign tourist, amounts greater than Rs 50,000 can also be disbursed in cash. However, the post office would then ask for a photocopy of the tourist’s passport along with other vouchers,” said Roy. He added, “The average time taken for such transactions is 15-20 minutes. We take care to ascertain the identity of the person who collects the money by checking valid documents. We have also issued money transfer loyalty cards to some of our regular customers.”
Only personal remittances towards family maintenance and remittances in favour of foreign tourists visiting India are permissible under the service. “Trade-related remittances, remittances for purchase of property, investment or credit, donations and contributions to charitable organisations cannot be made under this service,” said Roy.
6 Hmars held
Silchar, May 7: Cachar police yesterday arrested six Hmar tribals from the remote Mawlung Punji village in Lakhipur subdivision for allegedly torching seven cottages of Dimasa tribals at Diphucherra on Friday, reports our correspondent.
Police said the incident was a deliberate attempt to renew the Hmar-Dimasa hostility that had claimed 26 lives last month. Altogether 12 Hmars have been taken into custody for indulging in violence in the two districts so far.
The Hmar Students’ Union, however, alleged that the arrest of the six youths — three from Mawlung Punji and three from Manipur — was “arbitrary” and on “fake” charges.
The union also expressed concern over what its termed as the district administration’s lack of initiative to rehabilitate the 5,000 Hmars, who were forced to flee their homes in March. The Hmar exodus began in the aftermath of the ethnic riots between the Hmar and the Dimasa tribes in Cachar and North Cachar Hills districts.
President of the union Joseph R. Hmar today alleged that the Dima Halam Daoga (DHD), a militant outfit, was continuing its extortion campaign in the Hmar-inhabited areas of Cachar. He said hundreds of the Hmar tribals, who are currently living in refugee camps in Lakhipur subdivision, were reluctant to return home in fear of renewed attacks.
