Dear Comrades,
Highlights of draft
Post Office Bill 2011
1.
Opening of market
by reducing the exclusive privilege of Central Government:
Gradual opening of the market by phase wise
removal of the monopoly proposed. Exclusive privilege reduced upto 150 gm. In
case of letters and upto 50 gm. in case of express mail. Couriers can carry
letters even within 150 gm and 50 gm (the reserve area) subject to them charging twice the postal rates for
letters and twice the rates for express service.
2. Sunset clause:
A 15 years SUNSET clause for complete removal
of exclusive privilege in express service and Parliamentary Review of exclusive
privilege in case of letters is proposed.
3. Universal
Service Obligation of the Central Government:
As proposed, USO is defined as the obligation
of the Central Government to provide, through the Department of Posts, basic
postal services at reasonable access, affordable price and with specified
service parameters throughout the country. Commitment to provide postal
service, delivery and access to post office 6 days of the week except holidays.
4. Definitions:
Definitions of certain ‘terms’ are proposed
keeping in view the definition adopted by different countries, as also the
requirement of customers i.e.
a) “postal services” means services provided by the Central Government or on its behalf
and includes services related to
(i) handling of addressed letters,
(ii) handling of addressed parcels and
packages,
(iii) handling of addressed press products,
(iv) handling of these articles as registered
or insured mail,
(v) express services for these articles,
(vi) handling of unaddressed articles,
(vii) Value Payable Post,
(viii) money remittance
(ix) Post Office Counter Services
(x) services on behalf of any Ministry or
Department of the Central or State Governments, or services on behalf of any
other organization
(xi) other services not specified elsewhere;
b) “courier services” means services related to the handling of articles of mail i.e. collection, sorting, dispatch, conveyance and
delivery including
(i) handling of addressed letters subject to
provisions in Section 4,
(ii) handling of addressed parcels and
packages,
(iii) handling of addressed press products,
(iv) express services for these articles
subject to provision in Section 4
(v) handling of unaddressed articles,
c) “express services” means postal / courier services related to handling of articles of mail and
expedited delivery within a clearly specified and declared time limit with confirmation
of receipt and with or without end‐to‐end integration to ensure track and trace and
a record of delivery ;
d) “Registered Courier”
means any person registered as such under
Section ‐‐‐ and includes his employee or agent or assignee;
e) “Licensee” means a Registered Courier who has been given license under Section ‐‐;
5. Registration and
Licensing:
The Central Government may grant registration
to any person undertaking the provision of any courier service in India, who
shall be called a Registered Courier. The
Central Government may also grant license to any Registered Courier, who shall
be called a licensee, for
providing certain specific services. There is no registration fee or license fee.
Licensing conditions involve adherence to quality, guarantee relief to
customers in case of any deficiency in service and commitment to ensure
confidentiality and security of letter. All operators will require registration
for providing any type of courier service in India. But license will be
required only for reserve area, USO and letter mail.
6. Registering
Authority:
It is proposed that
Central Government shall appoint Registering
Authority, in such manner and to perform such functions, as may be prescribed.
7. Appellate
Authority:
An Appellate Authority is proposed for
redressal of grievances of any person aggrieved by an order of Registration
Authority.
8. Setting up Extra
Territorial Offices of Exchange (ETOE) and International mail Processing
Centers (IMPC) abroad:
Central Govt. may establish ETOEs/IMPCs in
other countries for providing international Mail Services including express and
parcel services subject to arrangements with such Postal Administrations
regarding terms and conditions.
