Post Office Bill 2023, Features, Raised Concerns

Check here the features of the Post Office Bill, 2023 which has been introduced into the Lok sabha for consideration seeking to repeal the Indian Post Office Act of 1898.

Table of Contents

Context:The Post Office Bill, 2023 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 10 August 2023 and passed on 4 December 2023.

Post Office Act 2023 Comes into Effect

The Post Office Bill, 2023 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 10 August 2023 and passed on 4 December 2023. The Lok Sabha passed it on 13 and 18 December 2023. It received presidential assent on 24 December 2023 and was published in the Gazette of India. The Act simplifies the legislative framework for delivering citizen-centric services, banking services, and government schemes, enhancing ease of business and living. It eliminates exclusive privileges for letter delivery and prescribes standards for addressing and postcodes. Effective 18 June 2024, the Act repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898.

Indian Post Office Act of 1898 Vs Post Office Bill, 2023

Feature	Indian Post Office Act 1898	Post Office Bill 2023
Exclusive Privileges	Central government has exclusive right to convey letters	No exclusive privileges granted
Services Offered	Specified – letter delivery, parcels, money orders	Prescribed by central government
Interception of Postal Articles	Permitted during public emergency, for public safety/tranquillity	Permitted for security, foreign relations, public order, emergency, public safety By officer empowered by central government notification
Examination of Prohibited/Duty-Liable Articles	Officer in charge can examine suspected articles	No power of examination; central government can empower officer to deliver item to customs/other authority
Regulation of Private Couriers	Not included	Brought under the Bill’s ambit
Liability of Post Office/Officials	Exempt from liability unless prescribed in rules	Exempt from liability for loss, misdelivery, delay, damage (except prescribed liabilities)
Recovery of Unpaid Charges	Not specified	Charges become land revenue due and recoverable as such

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Concerns Raised against Post Office Bill, 2023

Conflict of Interest: The Bill exempts India Post from liability for service lapses. However, the liability will be defined through rules made by the central government, which also controls India Post. This creates a potential for bias and a lack of accountability.
Threat to Privacy: The Bill omits penalties for unauthorised opening of mail by postal officials. This raises concerns about violations of consumer privacy and a lack of deterrence against such actions.
Procedural Ambiguity: The Bill lacks specific procedures for intercepting postal articles. This absence of safeguards could pose threats to freedom of speech and expression, potentially exceeding reasonable restrictions outlined in the Constitution.
Vagueness in Terminology: The Bill cites broad terms like “emergency” as grounds for interception, which might exceed constitutional limitations on such restrictions. This vagueness raises concerns about the potential misuse of the power to intercept.