Post Office Bill repeals 1898 Act, no new fund expenditure

It aims to allow the Post Office to provide a wider range of citizen-centric services beyond just mail delivery.

Who it concerns: The Department of Posts (Post Office), the Director General of Postal Services, the Central Government, and any person who uses services provided by the Post Office.

What the bill does

• The Post Office must provide services as prescribed by the Central Government.
• The Director General can make regulations to fix charges and terms for services.
• The Post Office has the exclusive privilege of issuing postage stamps (physical or digital) and postal stationery.
• The Central Government can set standards for addressing, address identifiers, and postcodes.
• Charges for services are recoverable as if they were arrears of land revenue if a person refuses to pay.
• The Central Government can empower officers to intercept, open, or detain items for state security, public order, or legal contraventions.
• The Post Office and its officers are exempt from liability for loss, delay, or mis-delivery unless the officer acted fraudulently or wilfully caused the issue.
• The Central Government can delegate its powers (except rule-making) to the Director General.
• Rules and regulations made under this Act must be laid before Parliament for 30 days.

Also in the document

• The Bill repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898.
• Rules and notifications made under the 1898 Act continue in force unless inconsistent with this new Act.
• The Bill states it will not involve any financial expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India.