Post Office Act, 2023

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Post Office Act, 2023
Emblem of India.svg
Parliament of India
  • An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to Post Office in India and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
CitationBill No. 57 of 2023
Territorial extent Flag of India.svg
Passed by Rajya Sabha
Passed4 December 2023
Enacted10 August 2023
Passed by Lok Sabha
Passed18 December 2023
Assented to by President of India
Assented to25 December 2023
Administered by Government of India
Legislative history
First chamber: Rajya Sabha
Bill titleThe Post Office Bill 2023
Bill citationBill No. 57 of 2023
Introduced by Ashwini Vaishnaw
Introduced10 August 2023
Voting summary
  • Majority Voice voted for
  • Minority Voice voted against
Final stages
Finally passed both chambers18 December 2023
Repeals
The Indian Post Office Act of 1898
Status: In force

The Post Office Act, 2023 is an act of the Parliament of India to consolidate and amend the law relating to Post Office in India along with expansion and modernization of its services. The Bill also replaces The Indian Post Office Act of 1898. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Background and timeline

The Bill aims to modernize India Post and expand its services, concerns regarding privacy, accountability, and centralization.

Features of the Bill:

Reactions

The lack of clear safeguards surrounding government interception powers fuels fears of mass surveillance and erosion of individual privacy. Transparency and robust oversight mechanisms are crucial to address these concerns. [6] [7] [8]

The Liability exemptions for post officers might create a sense of impunity and discourage accountability for service quality issues. Balancing protection for officers with ensuring responsible service delivery is key. [9]

It has also raised concerns on centralization issue as the increased central government control might stifle the autonomy and responsiveness of India Post. This could lead to a disconnect from local needs and hinder effective service delivery in diverse regions across India. [10] [11] [12] [13]

References

  1. "Post Office Bill, 2023: Why it was brought in, provisions, criticism". 16 December 2023.
  2. "The Post Office Bill, 2023". PRS Legislative Research.
  3. Centre, National Informatics. "Digital Sansad". Digital Sansad.
  4. "New Post Office Act Will Allow Employees to Open, Detain Parcels". The Wire.
  5. "Lok Sabha passes Post Office Bill which allows govt to intercept any item — what Opposition said". CNBCTV18. 18 December 2023.
  6. "Rajya Sabha passes Post Office Bill amid debate over privacy concerns". Hindustan Times. 5 December 2023.
  7. ""Act Of Surveillance": Opposition In Rajya Sabha On Post Office Bill". NDTV.com. Press Trust of India. 4 December 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  8. ""Detrimental To Fundamental Rights": Shashi Tharoor On Post Office Bill". NDTV.com. Press Trust of India. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  9. Sinha, Shishir (18 December 2023). "What the Post Office Bill, 2023 is all about". BusinessLine.
  10. Wankhade, Satyendra (18 December 2023). "Lok Sabha passes Post Office Bill, 2023". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news.
  11. "Lok Sabha passes Post Office Bill that will replace 1898 Act". Hindustan Times. 18 December 2023.
  12. "Post Office Bill gets Parliament nod". Deccan Herald.
  13. "Rajya Sabha passes Post Office Bill amid opposition concerns over violation of privacy". The Times of India. 5 December 2023.