The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Post Office Bill, 2023, ushering in a modern legislative framework to govern post offices in India. The bill aims to repeal the 125-year-old Indian Post Office Act and streamline the laws pertaining to post offices. According to the proposed legislation, the Union government holds the authority to empower officers to intercept, open, or detain items in the interest of state security, friendly foreign relations, public order, emergencies, or public safety.


Addressing concerns over interception, Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised the importance of such provisions for national security in a complex and diverse society.


"In a society which is as complex and diverse, and times which are as difficult as they are, it is very important that interception is done. This kind of a provision is kept for national security," stated Minister Vaishnaw during the parliamentary discussion, as quoted by news agency PTI.


The bill, introduced during the Monsoon Session, outlines the evolution of post offices into a network for delivering citizen-centric services, necessitating the repeal of the outdated Indian Post Office Act of 1898.


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'Act Of Surveillance On Citizens': Opposition MPs Voice Concerns Over Post Office Bill 2023


However, the Post Office Bill faced resistance from several opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha. Concerns were raised, particularly against Section 9 of the bill, which grants the power to intercept, open, or detain items in the interest of national or public security. Opposition members, including those from the Left, AAP, NCP, AIADMK, and TDP, expressed apprehensions over potential infringements on the fundamental right to privacy.


The Congress party's Shaktisinh Gohil objected to the provision allowing interception of shipments, stating, "The trust that people have over postmen will be destroyed by this bill."


"The act allows the interception of a shipment being transmitted through the post on certain grounds such as any public emergency, or in the interest of public safety or tranquillity," Gohil said, demanding that the government clarify what is deemed as a public emergency, public safety or tranquillity.


"Such interceptions may be carried out by central, state governments or any officer specially authorised by them. Why don't you specify which level of officer? Further, the officer has the power to open, detain or destroy the shipment," Gohil remarked, as per PTI.


AAP's Raghav Chadha echoed privacy concerns, highlighting the lack of specified procedures for opening and intercepting letters. He called it an act of surveillance on citizens and a violation of constitutional articles 19 and 21.


"This is an act of surveillance on citizens, fails to specify procedures and the grounds are very vague. Moreover, there are no consequences for the unauthorised opening of postal articles by a postal officer. This is a violation of articles 19 and 21 of the Indian Constitution," he said, as quoted by PTI. 


CPI (M)'s A A Rahim deemed the bill against fundamental rights and federal principles, accusing the government of attempting to privatise postal services. " This bill is trying to breach the privacy, which is a part of Right to Life, a fundamental right," he asserted while stating that the legislation also removes the authority of the state government and their authorised officers to intercept a shipment.


"This is a direct attack on federal principles," he remarked as per PTI.


While TDP's K Ravindra Kumar supported the bill, he suggested a review of Section 9 to prevent potential misuse of powers. Other members from AIADMK, NCP, and IUML voiced their opposition, expressing concerns about the impact on privacy, federal principles, and potential misuse of authority.


The discussion also saw some members supporting the bill, calling it a step towards improving postal services. V Vijay Sai Reddy of YSRCP highlighted the importance of reliability, reach, and relevance in postal services.


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