Post Offices under Darjeeling Division to remain closed till March 30

Darjeeling/ Siliguri, 24th March: The National Union of Postal Employees, All India Postal Employees Union and Bharatiya Postal Employees Union submitted a memorandum to the Superintendent of Post Office – Darjeeling Division to shut down the Post Offices under the Darjeeling Division till March 30 starting from tomorrow. The move came as a preventive measure to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus which currently has the entire world under its grip.
The letter emphasized that the Post Offices are solely related to public relations. They deliver letters, parcels, registers, speed post articles and others to the people which completely defies the practice of social distancing.
The letter mentioned that despite the lockdown called by the State Government, the office employees are being directed to work. It stressed that coming to work during the lockdown will be very difficult especially for the employees who are between the age group of 50-60 years and those who are chronic patients of neurological problems, diabetics, high blood pressure, heart problems, etc.
Earlier too, the National Federation of Postal Employees demanded the complete closure of all Post offices throughout the country, till the government announces normalcy for any free day to day activities. They further maintained that the move is for the safety of the Nation as well as officials who are working under the grip of fear when the government is insisting to maintain social distance. The NFPE accused the Department of not being able to provide minimum safety measures to the staff and also to the public attending the POs. And stressed that the whole family of the employees are in distress tension and agony.