Rajya Sabha has recently passed the Post Office Bill, which repeals and replaces the Post Office Act, 1898.
660 post offices were closed earlier but 5,000 offices were opened between 2014 and 2023, and about 5,746 new ones are in the process of being opened.
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Features |
Existing Provisions (Post Office Act, 1898) |
New Provisions (Post Office Bill, 2023) |
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Exclusive privileges |
Central government will have the exclusive privilege of conveying letters wherever it establishes posts.
Stamps be issued as per the Rules prescribed by the Centre. |
It removed the exclusive privilege of central government in conveying letters.
It also made the post office to have the exclusive privilege of issuing postage stamps. |
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Services |
Services provided by post office includes the delivery of postal articles including letters, postcards, and parcels and money orders. |
Post Office will provide services prescribed by the central government. |
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Powers to intercept shipments |
Grounds
Authority - Such interceptions may be carried out by the central government, state governments, or any officer specially authorised by them.
Powers - An intercepted shipment can be detained or disposed of by the officer in charge. |
The bill retains the power to intercept shipments
Grounds
Authority - An officer empowered by the central government through a notification may carry out an interception. |
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Examination of shipment |
An officer in charge of the Post Office may examine if he suspects any items prohibited, or are liable to be paid duty upon. |
The bill removes the powers of examination.
In such case, Central government may empower an officer of the Post Office to deliver the shipment to the customs authority who will then deal with the item in question. |
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Offences and penalties |
The Act specifies various offences and penalties. |
The Bill does not provide for any offences or consequences, except one.
Amounts not paid or neglected by a user will be recoverable as arrears of land revenue. |
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Exemptions from liability |
The government is exempted from any liability of loss, mis delivery, delay or damage to a postal article but does not apply where the liability is undertaken by the central government in express terms.
Officers are also exempt from such liability unless they have acted fraudulently or wilfully. |
It retains exemption provided to the central government and the officer in charge.
The Post Office may prescribe the liability regarding its services which was earlier prescribed by the central government. |
What are the concerns with the bill?
References
