TNN | Dec 7, 2014, 10.03AM IST
SURAT: The Department of Posts on Saturday began investigation against four postmen after recovery of undelivered mails, including over 20,000 Aadhaar cards, ATM cards and electricity bills, from an empty water tank of Bhestan post office recently.
Sources said residents of Bhestan, most of them migrants from other states, have been complaining for many months now about delay and missed deliveries of their important mails, including electricity bills, ATM cards issued by banks and Aadhaar cards.
A group of 35 people approached Congress councillor Satish Patel requesting him to talk to the post master regarding delivery of Aadhaar card, a mandatory document for getting LPG subsidy. Patel went to Bhestan post office on Friday. "I requested the post master to make delivery of Aadhaar cards to the people who wanted them for availing LPG subsidy. While I was talking to the post master, I found the movement of a few postmen suspicious. I decided to take a round of the post office. To my surprise, I found two bundles of undelivered mails from the water tank and one lying in the washroom," said Satish Patel.
Patel added, "The postmen were caught red-handed. They were not delivering the mails but were hoarding them in the water tank."
A few months ago, some undelivered mails were found in a dustbin near Nanpura post office. The department is yet to investigate the matter.
Shailesh Dubey, a resident of Bhestan, said, "I had applied for Aadhaar card six months ago. I got a message from the local office that my card was issued. But for the last five months I am waiting for the card."
R M Patel, senior superintendent of post, Surat, said, "It is a very unfortunate incident. A thorough investigation has been ordered against the staff of Bhestan post office. The postmen and the post master are being quizzed about the incident. The culprits will face strict action."