RS passes Post Office Bill to amend 125-year-old Indian Post Office Act

Several opposition parties opposed the new bill, which has provisions allowing the postal officer to 'open, detain, or destroy' parcels in the interest of national or public security.

New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Post Office Bill, 2023 that seeks to repeal the 125-year-old Indian Post Office Act and consolidate and amend the law relating to post offices in the country.

According to the proposed legislation, “the central government may, by notification, empower any officer to intercept, open or detain any item in the interest of the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, emergency or public safety, or upon the occurrence of any contravention of any of the provisions of any law for the time being in force”.

Opposition to bill

Several opposition parties like the Left and AAP opposed the new bill, which has provisions allowing the postal officer to “open, detain, or destroy” parcels in the interest of national or public security.

They claimed it was an infringement of the fundamental right to privacy.

Members from parties including the NCP, AIADMK, and TDP also raised concerns over Section 9 of the Post Office Bill, 2023.