Parcels to US from Bengaluru’s General Post Office see over 50% drop amid tariff hike
Bengaluru: The 50% tariff imposed by the United States on India is having a significant impact on the volume of parcels being sent to the US from Bengaluru’s General Post Office (GPO) in Cubbon Park.
The number of parcels booked for shipment has dropped sharply, from 57 in July to just 27 in the first 24 days of August — a decline of more than 50%, as reported by Deccan Herald on Monday.
GPO officials attribute the drop primarily to the sharp increase in shipment costs due to the newly imposed tariff. Previously, packages valued under $800 could be sent to the US duty-free; however, the new regime now subjects any shipment over $100 to substantial duties.
According to postal staff, the situation is even worse than it appears. “The fall is sharper than what the numbers suggest as students returning for their fall semesters should have seen the numbers spike,” DH quoted them as saying.
India has suspended all postal services to US owing to the new duty regime. This means that families sending parcels to loved ones in the US will either need to pay the higher rates for private courier services or stop sending items altogether.
A large portion of the parcels sent from Bengaluru are packages for students and working professionals in the US. Geeta, mother of a student at Arizona State University, used to send to her daughter monthly packages of spices, blends and pickles. “My packages, depending on the weight, would cost around Rs 5,000, which was economical. In contrast, the same package sizes sent through private postal services were almost double the price, ranging from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000,” DH quoted her as saying.
Anitha, the mother of a dental professional working in Boston, attempted to mail her son some important documents last week but was informed that the services had been suspended at her local post office.
The postal department is closely monitoring the situation and reportedly trying its hardest to restore services at the earliest.
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Couple, son 'hacked' to death over witchcraft suspicion in Jharkhand's Palamu
Medininagar (PTI): A couple and their 18-year-old son were allegedly hacked to death over suspicion of practising witchcraft in Jharkhand's Palamu, police said on Sunday.
Their minor daughter was also injured in the attack late on Saturday, a police officer said.
The bodies were recovered from their house on Sunday in Panki police station area, he said.
“Initial investigation suggests that the case is related to witchcraft suspicion,” Manoj Kumar Jha, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Lesliganj told PTI.
A manhunt is on to nab the culprits, Jha said.
The girl suffered severe injuries and has been admitted to a government hospital, he said.
The deceased have been identified as Vijay Bhuiyan (45), his wife Kalia Devi (40), and their son Chotu Bhuiyan.
The bodies have been sent to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) for post-mortem examination.
