Don’t deny access to postal workers: GHMC to gated communities

Hyderabad: Postal workers delivering essential documents in Hyderabad’s gated communities and high-rise apartments will no longer face entry hurdles, with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) issuing strict orders to ensure free and unhindered access.

Frequent entry denials are delaying deliveries

For long, postal workers have been denied entry by security staff or prevented from using lifts in multi-storeyed buildings. This has led to delays in delivering critical government documents such as passports, Aadhaar cards and driving licences to residents.

Don’t deny access to postal workers, GHMC commissioner

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has issued a circular directing all Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), gated communities and apartment complexes to provide unrestricted access and dignified working conditions, such as use of passenger lifts without discrimination and ensure safe and designated parking within premises for postal delivery staff, among others.

The move comes in response to concerns raised by the postmaster general, Vishalakshi, Headquarters Region, Hyderabad, who pointed out that postal staff were frequently denied access or subjected to restrictions while attempting to deliver postal articles within GHMC limits.

What are the issues facing postal workers in gated communities?

The issues highlighted include:

- Denial of entry or obstruction by security staff of RWAs

- Prohibition on using passenger lifts, with postal staff forced to use service lifts

- Absence of designated parking areas, resulting in postal vehicles and packages being left unattended on public roads

- Delays and operational difficulties affecting the timely delivery of important government and personal correspondence

Invoking the Postal Act, 2023, the postmaster general urged that apartment complexes install letterboxes and extend necessary facilities to postal workers for efficient service. The orders include:

RWAs under their jurisdiction:

- Allow full access to postmen for doorstep delivery

- Permit the use of passenger lifts without discrimination

- Provide safe and designated parking spaces within the premises

- Install and maintain approved letterboxes as required under the Post Office Act, 2023

Immediate steps should be taken to publicise the circular widely through notices, community meetings, media and other outreach methods.

Zonal commissioners should ensure strict compliance with these instructions by deputy commissioners.

The GHMC also reminded all stakeholders that obstructing a government servant in the discharge of official duties is a punishable offence under Section 221 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The circular warned that legal action may be initiated in cases of continued non-compliance.

“This directive must be treated with utmost importance to uphold the dignity of public service and to ensure smooth and efficient delivery of postal services to citizens of Hyderabad,” the civic body stated in its order.