Siliguri, April 8: In a bid to reach out to its customers, the postal department plans to open new branches, upgrade offices and launch “grooming classes” for the staff.

The department is opening new branches in South and North Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, Malda, Darjeeling and Cooch Behar. With 2,300 post offices in North Bengal and Sikkim, will computerise all its offices located in various district headquarters within this year.

The postal department has now improved its services in north Bengal and Sikkim by introducing new technology and a friendly staff dedicated to transform its image into a business oriented organisation.

Postmaster general for north Bengal and Sikkim John Samuel said: “We are focussing on four aspects. The department intends to adopt a new approach towards business, a focus on customer satisfaction, introduction of new technologies and a package of new products and services.”

An extensive training programme would be launched for all postal staff to improve their communication skills and grooming, he added.

To meet growing customer demands, the department would introduce new technology and concentrate on adopting a proactive approach instead of being a reactive government department, said Samuel.