I. BACKGROUND

Franchising is a contractual license granted by one person or body (the franchisor) to another (the franchisee), which permits or requires the franchisee to carry on service in a particular business using the franchisor's know-how, and provide back up service under the franchisor`s brand, as an independent business. It allows the franchisor to exercise continuing control over the manner in which the franchisee carries on the franchised business and obliges the franchisor to provide the franchisee with ongoing support in carrying on the franchised business. Keeping in view the types of goods and services provided, an agreed pattern of compensation or revenue sharing can be worked out between the two.

II. BASIC FEATURES OF THE FRANCHISE MODEL

1. Only counter services are to be franchised, while delivery and transmission will be continued through the Department. Linking arrangements for the franchised outlets will be provided by the franchisee.

2. The franchisee will provide service across the counter for a minimum defined time schedule with flexibility to work round the clock.

III. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OFFERED

1. Sale of Stamps and stationery

2. Booking registered articles, speed post articles, money orders, e-post etc.

3. Functioning as an agent for PLI and provide related after sales service,  including collection of premia. (subject to fulfillment of criteria for PLI agents).

4. Marketing products for which the Department has a corporate agency or tie-up and provide related follow up services. (subject to agreement with the other organizations involved).

5. Providing retail and bill/tax/fine collection/payment services of the Department.(subject to agreement with the other organizations involved)

6. Facilitating the provision of e-governance and citizen-centric services (subject to agreement with the other organizations involved)

7. Any other service introduced by the Department in future through its outlets which is considered amenable to the franchisee model.(subject to agreement with the other organizations involved)

The model has adequate flexibility built in to allow a range of services to be extended through the outlets according to the need/demand, and to increase the range when found necessary. Thus, the range of counter services that can be offered through different outlets can vary, keeping in view the location and its capacity to generate revenues.

IV. ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

1. Individuals including Physically challenged are eligible

2. Institutions/other entities/Self Help Group/Non Govt. Organizations/Ex-Servicemen are eligible.

3. The members of family of serving Postal employees are not eligible for taking up franchisee scheme in the same Division in which Postal employees are working.

4. Age: above 18 years. No upper age limit.

5. Educational qualifications: 10 + 2 standard or 12th class pass of a recognized University or Board of School Education or Board of Secondary Education.

6. Preference: a) Postal Pensioners, b) Those able to provide computer facilities.

7. Premises: Proper appropriately located and accessible premises, properly maintained with suitable display of approved signage.

8. Applicant should be willing to make the necessary investments for the conduct of the business and be able to provide a simple business plan comprising details of how the premises will be run, what the opening hours would be, investments proposed, market conditions, proposals for marketing products, awarness of customer base, role in local community, budget, finance etc.,. Two references from respectable persons of the locality where the franchise is proposed to be located would also be required to establish the character and antecedents of the applicant.

9. Security Deposit: The security deposit to be provided by the franchisee would be based on the maximum possible level of financial transactions likely to be undertaken by the franchisee in a day. The minimum security deposit would be Rs.10,000/- in the shape of performance of bank guarantee.