New Delhi, March 15 (IANS): Union Minister for Communications and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Friday unveiled a financial upgradation scheme for 2.56 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) working in the Department of Posts.

The aim of the government is to improve service conditions and remove stagnation in the service of GDS.

The GDS serves as the backbone of the Department of Posts in rural areas and plays a vital role in delivering postal and financial services to the remotest part of the country.

Every Gramin Dak Sevak will get three financial upgrades on completion of 12, 24 and 36 years of service, amounting to Rs 4,320, Rs 5,520 and Rs 7,200 per annum, respectively, the Union Minister announced.

This is in addition to the remuneration provided to GDS in the form of 'Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA)', according to the government.

"In a significant step to improve the service conditions of GDS, this scheme is expected to benefit more than 2.56 lakh GDS and remove stagnation in their service," said Ashwini Vaishnaw.