it is still continued. here is the rule:
Concession on Postage for blind literature
Blind Literature packets are exempted from payment of postage (both inland
and foreign) if sent by surface post. Air-mail charges are to be paid if
packets are sent by air. According to the Rule 129 of the Post Office Guide,
besides being exempted from the payment of postage, ' Blind Literature'
packets are exempted from payment of
(I) Registration fee
(II) Fee for acknowledgement and
(III) Fee for attested copy of the receipt.
Rule 130 of the Post Office Guide defines the Contents and Conditions of
posting of Blind Literature. According to this rule: Papers of any kind,
periodicals and books printed in Braille or other special type for the use
of the blind may be transmitted by post as 'Blind Literature' packets
provided that they are posted in accordance with the below mentioned
conditions. Plates bearing the characters of writing, sound records for the
use of the blind, and discs, films, tapes and wires on which spoken message
for the blind have been recorded, when sent by, or addressed to, an
officially recognised institution for the blind, shall also be treated as
'Blind Literature'.
(a) The packets shall consist only of articles specially impressed for the
use of the blind, and shall not contain any communication either in writing
or printed in ordinary type, except the title and table of contents of the
book or periodical and any key to, or instruction for, the use of special
type, or any enclosure except a level for the return of the packet.
(b) The packet shall bear on the outside the inscription 'Literature for the
Blind' and the written or printed name and address of the sender.
(c) The packet shall be posted without a cover, or in a cover open at both
ends, which can easily be removed for the purpose of examination.
(d) No 'Blind Literature' packet may weigh more than 7 kg.
(e) 'Blind Literature' packets are subject to the same limits of dimensions
as printed papers.
Rule 131 of the of the Post Office Guide defines the penalty for breach of
condition:
Should any of the conditions mentioned above be infringed, the packet
(unless it is admissible as an ordinary packet) will be charged on delivery
with letter or parcel postage, whichever may be less. The penalty for breach
of the conditions in respect of foreign postage is specified under rule 307
of the of the Post Office Guide. It states that:
'Blind Literature' packets which contain any note or document having the
character of actual and personal correspondence, or packets that do not
allow easy examination of the contents, or which contain postage stamps,
form of pre payment whether obliterated or not or paper representing any
value, or which infringe any of the foregoing conditions will not be
forwarded, but will be returned to the sender and will be charged in on
delivery with letter or parcel postage at the internal postage rate
whichever is applicable. If the sender wishes to report the article after
complying with the necessary conditions, he may do so. It is permissible in
such cases to use the original wrapper, but the use of a fresh wrapper is
preferable and is recommended.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jean Parker" <radiofore...@gmail.com>
To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in>
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2011 9:40 PM
Subject: [AI] problem sending free matter again
Colleagues:
Several weeks ago I wrote to this list to inquire whether India's free
matter for the blind rules had been changed. I had attempted to send a
package containing Braille and recorded material to the US from India. I
had tried at both the Kondhwa post office in Pune as well as from the Pune
GPO. At that time I was told the free matter rule had been revoked.
Earlier this week, a friend attempted to send the box from the Pune GPO
and was told by someone claiming authority in such things, that the free
matter policy had been revoked for five years. How then is it possible
for those of us who receive talking books from the US to continue sending
them back and forth to the US with no interference if the rules have been
changed?
In my original posting, I asked if someone could provide the actual
government circular containing the free matter provision so I may show it
to the postal authorities in Pune and instruct them in their own rules and
policies. The only response I received was an informal one from someone
who said they regularly receive materials at home under the free matter
provision.
Clearly, the Pune postal authorities are unequipped to read and interpret
their own rules so someone else must do it for them. I am asking once
again for either the actual publications where these rules are outlined
or, at the very least, a web site where I may download them myself.
Kanchan, Rajesh, someone from NAB? Someone else entirely? Where can the
rules be obtained? And, how can I report this matter to the real
authorities for resolution?
Many thanks for all efforts,
Jean
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