THIS refers to a sudden increase in inland postal tariff, which has impacted people severely in general and small business owners in particular.

In pursuance of the federal cabinet’s decision, postal rates for letters and domestic parcel mail have been revised. The revised rates were effective from May 4.

The government has increased rates for all categories, including ordinary letters, postcards, printed paper, textbooks, registered fee for parcel, etc. The rates have been increased more than 100 per cent in some categories without any rational or gradual increase.

For example, an ordinary 20gram letter will now cost Rs20 instead of Rs8 Printed matter, particularly newspapers/magazines, which were earlier mailed at a ticket of Rs20, will now cost Rs50 (100 gram).

Postal rates have been revised in one go without taking feedback from customers and local chambers of commerce. This has added to the misery of the people who are already financially burdened owing to the high rate of inflation and the cost of doing business.

Abdul Rab Siddiqi

Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2019