Mumbai: The postal department has introduced the One India One Rate scheme from today which means articles weighing up to 50 gm can be sent anywhere in India by Speed Post for Rs.25. However, the rate would not apply to local Speed Post, which are lower than Speed Post.

Union minister of communications and information technology Dayanidhi Maran launched the scheme in Chennai on the occasion of Independence Day, as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of Speed Post.

The One India One Rate scheme replaces the existing system where the tariff was calculated on the basis of the distance of the destination. Customers can now use Speed Post to send articles to any nook and corner of the country at a uniform rate.

The department plans to launch schemes for delivery of Speed Post on the same day of the booking and launch of an air (cargo) service to the North-East. Speed Post generates Rs.400 crore revenue, and includes such features as round-the-clock booking, insurance cover up to Rs.1 lakh and volume discounts.