Post GST, speed post and courier services are dearer

Along with the transport and telecom services, the postal and courier services are also affected by the newly imposed tax system–GST.

Though officials with the postal department of the city said that the GST had minimum affect on the postal services, it was enough to give a ‘pinch’ to the commoners. Speed post, the most used service, has witnesses a price hike. Officials with the postal department said, after GST, the minimum amount for a speed post had been fixed at Rs41.

KS Bajpai, deputy chief post master said there was no affect on the rates of the postal cards, stamps and envelop letters.

Other than this, officials said the GST also affected the registered post and the registered parcel services. However, the rates are yet to be revised.

“Postal services are one of the essential services that should be exempted from GST,” said Mukesh Sharma, a retired government employee. He said the increased speed post tariff would affect the ones sending long distances parcels.

Besides, it has also affected the courier services. Courier associates here said, after July 1, sending courier got expensive. “Initially, for sending up to 500gm courier upto 500km, a person had to spend Rs350. However, as per the new tariff, the person has to pay Rs 10 extra to avail the same service,” said Vikas Saxena, manager, Blue Dart courier.