Dear Comrades,
NEW DELHI: The government is working on a new Post
office Bill that proposes to bring private courier service under its
ambit.
"There is no provision in Indian
Post Office Act, 1898 for exercising control over private courier services
in the country. However, a draft Post office Bill which proposes to address
issues raised ... is under consideration of Government," Postal Minister Sachin
Pilot said in his written reply to Lok Sabha today.
The draft of Post office Bill 2011 has proposed registeration and licensing
of any courier service in India.
Under the proposed Bill, 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.
It says the central government may also grant licence to any registered
courier who shall be called a licencee, for providing certain specific
services.
There is no registration fee or licence fee proposed. However, licensing
conditions will involve adherence to quality, guarantee of relief to customers
in case of any deficiency in service and commitment to ensure confidentiality
and security of letter.
If implemented, all courier service providers will require registration for
rendering any type of courier service in India. The licence will be required
only for reserve area, Universal
Service Obligation (USO) and letter mail, as per the draft.
PTI Dec 14, 2011, 09.54pm IST www.economictimes.indiatimes.com