<span style="color: #222222;">Indian Postal Department has been directed to keep the postal network geared and active to help the needy people throughout the country in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Union Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today held a video conferencing in this regard with State Chief Post Master Generals and Chief General Managers of the Postal Department.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Department is playing a pivotal role by supplying essential items to millions of people in far flung areas of the country. Mr Prasad issued instructions to focus on methodologies for reaching out to the downtrodden and needy people in urgent need of food items. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He also issued directions to utilize Speed-Post through post offices as a last mile connectivity to deliver lifesaving medicines directly to those in need.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The employees of the department have pooled their savings to distribute food, dry rations and even masks to the needy in slums, migrant labourers and daily wage earners. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In last few days, India Post employees distributed around One lakh food packets in the country. Punjab Postal Circle has started Food on Wheels for construction workers, hawkers, rickshaw pullers, attendants of patients and migrant labourers stuck in various parts of Chandigarh. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Red Postal Mail Motor has emerged as a  beacon of hope for people. In Mumbai, Postal staff is not only feeding migrant labourers, but is also providing masks and sanitizers in worst affected areas of the pandemic.</span><br />''  <br />