What is The Post Office Bill, 2023?
The Government of India has enacted the Post Office Act, 2023 which aims to modernise India’s legislative framework for postal services and stamp duty. The new law, which came into effect today, aims to simplify the delivery of citizen-centric services and extend government benefits to the remotest corners of the country, enhancing the ease of living.
The Post Office Bill, 2023 was introduced in Rajya Sabha on 10 August 2023 and was passed in Rajya Sabha on 4 December 2023. The Bill was then considered and passed by Lok Sabha on 13 December 2023 and 18 December 2023.
Receiving the President's assent on 24 December 2023, the Act was published in the Gazette of India on the same day by the Ministry of Law & Justice (Legislative Department) for general information.
"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," the Ministry of Communications stated.
"No penal provisions have been prescribed in the Act. This provides a framework for prescribing standards for addressing of the items, address identifiers and usage of postcodes," it added.
The Post Office Act, 2023 repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898.
