The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Post Office Bill, 2023 to replace the Indian Post Office Act of 1898. .The Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on August 10 during the Monsoon Session before being passed by the upper house on December 4.Concerns have been raised about the bill paving the way for the interception of mail and exempting India Post from liability for lapses in service, except for the liability prescribed by the Central government itself.Section 9 of the proposed legislation allows the Central government to empower any officer to intercept, open, or detain mail in the interest of the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, emergency, public safety or on contravention of the law.Further, Section 10 stipulates that the Post Office administered by the Central government will not be liable for lapses in service except for the liability prescribed by the Central government itself..Congress MP Shashi Tharoor voiced his concerns over the power of interception, asserting that it violates the right to freedom of speech and expression, and right to privacy of individuals as recognised by the Supreme Court as part of Article 21 in Justice KS Puttaswamy (Retd) vs Union Of India. Further, he stated that in contrast, the Consumer Protection Act holds private courier companies more accountable than the bill does India Post..Before votes were cast for passing of the Bill, Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan defended Sections 9 and 10 and said that they were in 'national interest' and for 'public safety'..[Read Bill as passed by Rajya Sabha]
The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Post Office Bill, 2023 to replace the Indian Post Office Act of 1898. .The Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on August 10 during the Monsoon Session before being passed by the upper house on December 4.Concerns have been raised about the bill paving the way for the interception of mail and exempting India Post from liability for lapses in service, except for the liability prescribed by the Central government itself.Section 9 of the proposed legislation allows the Central government to empower any officer to intercept, open, or detain mail in the interest of the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, emergency, public safety or on contravention of the law.Further, Section 10 stipulates that the Post Office administered by the Central government will not be liable for lapses in service except for the liability prescribed by the Central government itself..Congress MP Shashi Tharoor voiced his concerns over the power of interception, asserting that it violates the right to freedom of speech and expression, and right to privacy of individuals as recognised by the Supreme Court as part of Article 21 in Justice KS Puttaswamy (Retd) vs Union Of India. Further, he stated that in contrast, the Consumer Protection Act holds private courier companies more accountable than the bill does India Post..Before votes were cast for passing of the Bill, Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan defended Sections 9 and 10 and said that they were in 'national interest' and for 'public safety'..[Read Bill as passed by Rajya Sabha]
