Origin of APS dates back to 1856 when the first FPO
accompanied the British Expeditionary forces to Persia. FPOs continued to be
requisitioned by the Army from the Dept of Posts to accompany Expeditionary
Forces till World War I. During World War II volunteers from the Dept of P &
T were drawn as combatants to run the FPOs. In 1947 when Indian troops were
rushed to J & K, the handful of personnel, who remained with the occupation
forces in Japan, were sent to provide postal services to the troops. This group
germinated into the present Army Postal Service. Initially the
organisation was affiliated to the ASC. In Mar 1972, APS was formed into a
separate Corps.
Events
before Independence
1856
First FPO raised to
accompany the British Expeditionary Force to Persia.
1867
Inter FPO Mail was postage
free mail exchanged between FPOs.
1882
Regular FPOs within
India.
1914
World War-1, Army Postal
Service joined the War and accompanied various forces continued to function till
1923.
1941
Army Postal Directorate
formed in QMG's Branch C/O 56 APO was
raised.
1946
Army Postal Service Centre
was raised at Kamptee.
Events
after Independence
1947
1 CBPO was raised in
New
Delhi.
1964
2 CBPO was raised at
Kolkata.
1969
SDS handed over to
APS.
1970
The Philatelic Bureau
started functioning in APS from 18 Jul 1970. These are functioning at 1 CBPO and
2 CBPO to cater to the needs of Armed Forces personal and their families. This
Bureau is the special cancellation of special cover is done by "56 APO" and "99
APO" respectively.
1972
APS Corps emerged as
Independent Corps.
1973
First Re-union of APS was
held in Mar.
1975
APS took over the Postal
Life Insurance work relating to the insurants of Defence Services from DD PLI
Calcutta.
1978
(a) Post Office Savings
Bank facilities introduced in full to Defence services personals through Field
Post Office.
(b) Central Base Post
Offices (CBPO) will perform all functions of Head Post Offices and Addl
Directorate Gen APS exercise the powers and functioning of a Postal Circle wilth
regard to this item of work.
(c) Technology
Induction-RD computerization at 1 CBPO from 1986 and at 2 CBPO from the year
1991.
(d) Minimum essential hardware
supplied to all FPOs and counter operations of FPO have been
computerized.
(e) Sanchay Post
software for SB operation installed in 275 FPOs. This is being installed in the
remaining FPOs shortly.
1980
Second Re-union of APS was
held in Dec.
1990
Automation of APO Tele
Centre was launched.
1991
Third Re-union of APS was
held in Jan.
1994
Speed Post introduced in
APS. A time bound and guaranteed service of the department of Posts is now
available in FPOs. All FPOs are linked with the 157 National Speed Post Centres.
Speed Post articles are dispatched to the destination by air.
1995
VSAT (Very Small Aperture
Terminal) commissioned at 1 CBPO for transmission of MOs electronically and in 2
CBPO in the year 1996.
1997
Fourth Re-union of APS was
held in Jan.
1998
Computer Facility
commissioned at APS Centre.
1999
Express Parcel Post a
premium product of the department of Post launched in APS during this Year.
Fast, economic and guaranteed way to sent parcels.
2004
(a) Fifth Re-union of
APS was held in Jan.
(b) ePost service
introduced up to CBPO level from Dept of Posts.
(c) APS Vision Perspective Plan
of APS Corps. In this vision APS will be economically managed organization ,
offering a wide range of Postal Services, Financial Services, SDS and Logistic
Support to all Formation and Units of the Indian Army by making extensive use of
the available technology and well trained man power to enhance the user
satisfaction to the level of absolute.
2005
(a) Department of Posts
allotted PIN block for all Army units in India for use in
APS. The PIN codes scheme introduced in APS to enable FPOs and CBPOs to hand
over the troops mail and other technology based products and services
efficiently.
(b) Pin Block "9"
allocated to APS operations. Units and stations were identigfied with unique PIN
identifications.
(c) A V Singh Committee
recommendations on Time Bound Promotions were made applicable for APS
Officers.
2006
(a) Intelligent
Networking PCOs installed in most of the FPOs and India Telephone Cards (ITC)
are available in all FPOs.
2007
(a) Field Postal Orders
(FPOr), a cost effective remittance facility that will meet the remittance needs
of the soldiers was launched with a view to mitigate the hardship being faced by
the troops and also to provide a convenient remittance facility to the
troops.
(b) Services of 847 Sep
Packers on deputation from Dept of Posts were regularised in their parent
recruiting unit.
2008
(a) Pack Post has
introduced on experimental basis through selected 100 FPOs wef 22 Feb
08.
(b) Library Post has been
introduced w.e.f 07 Apr 08.
(c) ePost service has
been launched in APS w.e.f 15 May 08.
2009
(a) Speed Post Envelopes
introduced under post from 28 Jan 09.
(b) Introduction of
Express Parcel Post w.e.f 01 May 09.
(c) Library Post 'Pay on
receipt' introduced from 06 Aug 09.
(d) Electronic Money
(eMO) introduced w.e.f 24 Aug 09.
2010
(a) Speednet version
introduced in all ePost Centre/SBPOs/CBPOs w.e.f 27 Jan 10.
(b) Booking of MOs of
Non eMO FPOs at eMO FPO w.e.f 08 Sep 10.
2011
(a) Introduction of
'Debit Army ePost' at FPOs w.e.f 02 May 11.
(b) Introduction of Flat rate
Parcel (Domestic) w.e.f 13 May 11.
(c) From 01 Oct 11 there
will be no limit for retaining balance in single as well as joint saving
account. The rate of interest increased from 3.5% to 4% w.e.f 01 Dec
11.
(d) Kisan Vikas Patra
discontinued w.e.f 01 Dec 11.
(e) Revision of maturity
period (for 5 years) and maturity value of 6 years National Savings certificates
(NSC)VIII issue w.e.f 01 Dec 11.
(f) Revision of maximum
limit of PPF account from Rs 70,000/- to Rs 1,00,000/- w.e.f 01 Dec 11. The
rate of interests 8.6% per annum.
(g) Introduction of new
scheme called "National Saving Certificate (IX-issue) Rules-2011" w.e.f 01 Dec
11.
(h) Revision of rate of
interest of Time deposit accounts effective from 01 Dec 11.
(j) Revision of maturity period,
rate of interest and discontinuation of 5% bonus on maturity of MIS account
scheme w.e.f 01 Dec 11.
2012
(a) Revision in
Interest rates of Small Savings Schemes w.e.f. 01 Apr 2012.
(b) Maximum limit of
insuring lives under Postal Life Insurance has been enhanced to 20 Lakh
(aggregate in respect of one class / all classes of Insurance policy(s) taken
together whereas children policy limit will remain the same).
Courtesy : http://indianarmy.nic.in
