The Post Office Act, 2023 comes into effect on 18 June 2023. It has repealed the Indian Post Office Act, 1898.
“The Post Office Bill, 2023” was introduced in Rajya Sabha on 10.08.2023 and was passed in Rajya Sabha on 04.12.2023.
The Bill was then considered and passed by Lok Sabha on 13.12.2023 and 18.12.2023.
Key points
The Act aims to create a simple legislative framework for delivery of citizen centric services, banking services and benefits of Government schemes at the last mile.
The Act does away with provisions such as the exclusive privilege of collecting, processing and delivering of letters, to enhance the ease of doing business and ease of living.
No penal provisions have been prescribed in the Act.
The Act’s provisions allow the government to intercept articles sent via India Post for a number of reasons, including public order and state security.
In the event of a public emergency or for the sake of maintaining peace and safety, an interception may be carried out.
The Post Office shall not incur any liability except such liability as may be prescribed with regard to a service provided by the Post Office.
