<span style="color: #222222;">Minister of State for Communications Sanjay Dhotre reviewed the initiatives taken by the Department of Posts during Covid-19 lockdown through a Video Conference. Mr Dhotre expressed satisfaction at the various measures undertaken and exhorted the Postal Department to exert itself to the utmost in the service of the Nation while observing all norms of social distancing.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He further said that many government departments may also be requiring to make use of the robust delivery system of Department of Posts and inter departmental coordination can offer new opportunity to it. The Minister emphasized that the Aadhaar enabled Payment Systems (AePS) should be widely popularized by the Postal Department.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Mr Dhotre was informed that most of the Post Offices across the country except those in containment zone are functional and delivering services. Special priority is being given to delivery of essential items including medicines, COVID-19 test kits, masks, sanitizers, PPEs and medical equipment including ventilators and defibrillators.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Minister was informed that during the lockdown period till the 20th of this month, around 1.8 Crore Post Office Saving Banks transactions with a value of 28 thousand Crore rupees  have been carried out. Further, ATM transactions numbering 4.3 lakhs with a value of  135 crore rupees have been carried out across the country. Besides, 15 lakh AePS transactions valued at  300 crore rupees have been carried out during the period.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Mr Dhotre was further apprised of special interstate and intra state mail arrangements made to deliver essential items to the customers. India Post has been using cargo flights, parcel trains and its own fleet of Red Mail Motor Vans and road transport networks to ensure timely delivery of essential items.</span><br />''