DHAKA: Huge valuables and gift items, lying unprotected in the warehouses of the Postal Department, are getting damaged, depriving the clients of getting their parcel intact.

While visiting the storehouses of the Postal Department, this correspondent saw rats and insects frolicking through the open spaces underneath the net fences of the stores.

Besides, rainwater enters the rooms through the broken windowpanes while walls and floors became shabby for want of renovation.

A source in the Postal Department said huge quantities of valuable gifts are pouring into the country from abroad ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. But, the gifts are being damaged for a lack of maintenance.   

Although the Postal Department has taken steps to repair the storehouses, but Customs Department is still inactive in this regard.

Postmaster General (metro circle) Provash Chandra Saha said, "The matter is under consideration. We will soon take initiative to repair the storehouses."

Four warehouses of the Postal Department will be repaired after Eid, officials informed.

An official, wishing anonymity, alleged that proposals had been placed on several occasions for renovation works, but to no effect.

Executive Engineer (Metro circle) Md Tanjir said, "The initiative for repairing the storehouses would now be implemented. Works would start after Eid.”

Deputy Commissioner of the Inland Customs Department (ICD) Md. Firoz said, "As the Postal Department owns the building, so renovation will have to be done by that department.”

BDST 1655 HRS, AUG 27, 2010