The department of posts may soon start selling cars. The department has initiated talks with car majors, including Maruti Suzuki, to promote their vehicles in the rural parts of the country. DoP is also planning to act as a registrar of information for the Nandan Nilekani-led Unique ID project.

Speaking to reporters after signing up with Sistema Shyam Teleservices (which offers phone services under the 'MTS' brand) to offer e-recharge services at 50 post offices here, Chennai City Region post master general M S Ramanujan said DoP has over 1,50,000 points of presence and about 25,000 offices across the country, a majority of which are located in the rural parts of the country.

"We will sell and collect application forms (for cars), which will then be submitted to the nearest Maruti dealer," Ramanujan said.