 bill no 119 of 1988 the indian post office (amendment) bill, 1988 a billfurther to amend the indian pot of/w:e act, 1898 be it enacted by paruamant in the ~venth year of the republic of india ii fouowi:-1 (1) this act may be called the indian post oftice (amendment) act, 1986 5 (2) it shall come into force on such date ii the central government may, by notification in the official gazet~, appoint, and different dates may be appointed for d:fferent provinons of this act short title and cora· mencement ii of t'" z in section 1 of the indiul post olflce act, 1898 (hereinafter referred to as the principal act), in sub-section (1), the word "indian" shall be anaand metttol section 1 10 omitted i 3 section 2 of the principal act shall be re-numbered as 'sub-section (1) of that section, and-amendmentol sectienj, (a) in sub-section (1) as so renumbered,-(0 for clause (a), the following clause shall be subgtituted, '5 namely:-r , (a) the expressioti "director general" means the director gereral of pests and includes any other otftcer ll\1thori~ed to exercise t~ powe~ of the director general;'; (ii) in clause (d), for the words uor her majesty's government or the government of any british possession or fore:gn country", the words "or the government of any foreign country" soall be substituted; (iii) in clause (i), after the word uletter/" the word "letter- 5 card," shall be inserted; i  ('iv) for clause (;) the following clause shall be substituted, namely:-i '(j) the expression "post master general" includes an additional post master general, a director of postal 10 service or any other officer exercising the powers of the post master general;'; (v) after clause (k), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:--1 - (1) the expre!lsion ustamping machine" means a 15 machine used to affix impressions to indicate pre-payment of postage or other sums chargeable under this act and includes a franking mac1pne'; (b) after 'sub-section (1) as so re-numbered, the following sui>-section shall be inserted, name1y:-i 20 "(2) any reference in this act to a law which is not in force in any area shau, in relation to that area, be construed as a reference to the corresponding law, if any, in force in that area" amendment of section 3 4 in )';ection 3 of the principal act, in clause (c), after the words "according to the usual manner of delivering postal articles to the 25 addressee,", the words "or the placing of a postal article in a letter deposit box kept at the house or office of the addressee or in a post box at the po!'t office rented by the addressee," shall be inserted 5 in section 4 of the principal act,-amendment of section 4 (a) in sub-section (1) ,-r (i) in clause (b), the word "and" occurring at the end shan be omitted; (h) after clause (b), the following clauses shall be inserted, namely:-' 1  (ba) letter!! conveyed and delivered by the sender 35 thereof personally; (hb) documents issued by a court or other authorify entitled to issue the same, or anv return or answers to such documents sent, conveyed and delivered otherwise than by post;"; i '  40 (iii) in cla\lse (c), ro~ the words "either bv sea or \:)y lnnd", the worris "bv land, sea or air" shall be substituted; (b) in sub-section (2), for the word "pqst~rqs" the words '-i~~er-car~ aqg postcard!i" tmtijl ~ ,ul)eututed • after seotioq4 of· tqe pr~ 4ct, the f9uowing section shall be inletinserted, namely:-tion of 'ew sectiod fa search and seizure 5 10 "4a (1) any officer (being anofflcer not below the rank of a sub divisional inspector of post offices) authorised by the central government by general or special order may, if he has reason to believe that any package contbining letters of the nature referred to in subsection (1) of section 4 is, or any such letters are, in any vehicle or other' conveyance 01"in any premises and that such letters are in the process of being carried in contr"vention of the provisions of that section, search the said vehicle or other conveyance or premises and seize such letters 2 of 1974 (2) the provisions of the code of criminal procedure, 1973 shall, so far as may be, apply to any search or seizure under this section as they apply to any search or seizure made under the authority 15 of a warrant issued under section' 94 of the said code" , 7 in section 5 of the principal act, in clause (b), after the words "ports or places in india,", the words "or owners of, or persons in charge, of any aircraft on a flight between places in india," shall be inserted amend mento! section 5 8 in section 8 of the principal act,-20 amend mentof section 8 (a) for clause (ii), the fouowing clause shall be substituted, nronely:-"(a) require the pre-payment of postage on inland postal articles or any class of inland postal articles, the grant of any rebate on such postage if it is pre-paid by means of stamping ;5 machines or if such postal articles are pre-sorted and posted in such manner as may be specified, and prescribe the manner in which pre-payment shall be made;"; (b) in clause (d), for the-' words 'charged for the "express delivery" of postal' articles', the words ·'charged for such service in 30 relation to the delivery of any postal article as may be spec·ifted" shall be substituted; (c) the explo1r&4tioft ihall be omitted 9 in section 9 of the principal act, in sub-section (2), for clauses amend-(a) and (b), the following clauses sh81lbe substituted, namely:"'-ment of section j 35 u (ii) that it is published in numbers at such intervals as the central government may pec:ify in the rules made under sub-section (1) ; (b)  that it 'hal a ~ litt of subecribers: (e) that it ia not a catalogue or price list of any article or commodity sold at eoncesaional rate or of the shares of companies; (d) that it does not contain any buiideii reply eard except a business reply card for its subscription; (oe) that its transmissioll by post is otherwise permiaeible usder this acto" 10 in section 10 of the principal act,-5 a  ment el seetioa 1 • (a) in lub-section (1), for the portion beginning with the words "where arrangements are" and ending with the words ''such posse  sion or country", the following shall be substituted, namely:-"where arrangement are in force with any foreign country for the transmission by post of postal articles between india 10 and such country";  -fb) after sub-section (2), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:-"(3) the central goven)dleilt may also make rules to give effect to the arrangements referred to in sub-section (l) in j,; r~pect of postal artidee other than those to which section& 36 and 46 apply" ai" dlejit(\f acelio is 11 in section is of the principal act, for the words "or to the poit office of the united kingdom or of any british possession or foreign country", the words "or to the post oftlce of any foreign country" shall be 120 substituted 12 in section 16 of the principal act, in sub-section (3), after c1auae (d), the following clause shan be inserted, namely:-am  ent  seeei  ii "(da) regulate the use of itad)ping machinet;" 13 mter section 16 of the principal act, the following lection shan 2! be inserted, namely:-insertieo ot - ew !cil t,oil lia 'ewer to inspmit la' seize atampi& _ell  "l6a (1) subject to any rules made by the central govemment in this behalf, any ofllcer of a post 0fbce authorised by the post· master general, by general or special order, shall, if he has reason to believe that leakage of revenue is being caused as a result 30 of a stamping machine being used in contravention of the provisions of this act or of any rules in any premises, enter such premises and conduct an inspection of luch stamping machine, and it on iuch inspection, he is satisfied that the stamping machine has been so used, he shall i8ize the same: !s provided that before entering web premi8es, such of!lcer shall give a notice in writing of hit intlmtion to do so to the occupier of sueh premisee : (2) the central government may make r\ilh to provide for the inspection and eizure of a tamping machine under sub-aeetfon (1) p and the manner of dealin, with such maehtne telzed under that subsection"  1'- in section 21 of the pridclpti act-(a) in sub-section (2) ,-amead meal of secticm 21 (i) in clause (d), the word "uld~· occurring at the end ihall be omitted; 5 (ii) after clause (e), the following clauses shall be inserted, namely:-"(f) provide that no sender shall post the postal articles exceeding such number as may be specified therein unless such postal articles are pre-sorted and posted subject to 10 such other conditions as may be specified therein; (g) provide that the delivery of postal articles to an addressee receiving more than such number of postal articles as may be specified therein from a post office shall be made only throuil! a post box rented by him at that post 15 omce"; (b) after sub-section (3), the following sub-ection shall b inserted, namely:-"(4) where, having regard to the exigencies of postal adminia tration, the central government considers it necellsary or 20 expedient so to do, it may, by order in writing,-<a) direct that unregistered postal articles addresaeci to an addressee located in a multi-storeyed building or a buildinl with a large compound involving a distance of more than one hundred metrea between the outer gate and the build-!ii ing or a building wherein any dog or other dangerou animals are let loose, may be delivered only through - letter deposit box installed tor the purpose on the ground floor or, u the cue may be, near the gate of such building; ezpzaft4tioft-a single letter deposit box or different so letter deposit boxes may be matalled for different addressees for the purposes of this clause; (b) require the owner or 181 •• of the building referred to in clause (4) to install, or"~a1low any addreslee located in iuch building to wian, such letter deposit box 111' 15 in section 23 of the principal aet, in iub-aeet1on (3) i after clause 35 (b), the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-amend mentof 8ecuod 21 "provided that before any such postal article as is specified in elause (a) of section 20 i8 deetroyed, i10ticet in writing shall be sent to the sender and the addieyee, and the article shall not be deltrofed  "-- --~-"""""'"'------until after expiry of one monu) _~-; ute on which thejaa of such notices is sent" subltitu-us for section 26 of the principal act, the following section shall be tion of substituted, nattlely:-dew section for sec'aun 16 "26 the central government or tbesta_ government or any 5 o1bcer apecially authorised in this bebalf by the central or the state government, may, if satisfied that -it is necessary or expedient so to do in the interests of public safety or tranquillity, the sovereignty and integrity of india, the security of the state, friendly relatio~s power to intercept postal articles in certain cases wi~h foreign states or public order or for prevtmt~ incitement to 10 the commission of any offence, or on the occurrence of any public emergency, by order in writing, direct that any postal article or class or description of postal articles in the course of transmisslon by post, shall be intercepted or detained or shall be disposed of in such manner as the authority issuing the order, may direct" 15  1'7 in section 27 of the principal act, in the explanation,-amendmento! aection 27 (a) for the words "of any part of india or of his majesty's dominions or foreign country", the words "in india or foreign country" shall be substituted; and (b) for, the words "government of such part or country", the slo words "government of india or of 8uchcountry" shall be substituted  18 in section 27c of the principal act,-amend mento! section 27c (4) fqr the words, figures and letters "sections 99d to 99f of the code of criminal procedure, 1898", the words and figures "section 96 of the code of criminal procedure, 1973" shall be substituted; , of 1898 1152 of 191 •• (b) for the figures and letter_ "990", the figures 1196" shall be substituted 19 in sedian 34 oftbep'" ad, -1ndae;pro1iio, for the wordi "that sum has  been received jrom the ad __ ", the words "the pgital article has been deuvered to the acldressee" sbaii be fi)1ibstituw amend ment of iietiod 34 jo • in section 36 of ~ principal 4\ot, ~~ub'  ect1qll (j), amc4-t_of 88cijg,d at  (4) for the words "with the united kingdom, or with any british possession, or foreign country", the words "with any foreign country" shn be substituted; (b) for the warde ·"ead tbe-ujutadlungdom-,ol' • ueb po-rlod s' or «judt&y' thewwdlt i'" iuch coua~i7" ibal1 ,be -1ubiut1utcl (a) in sub-seetion' (z),-(i) in- clause (a), the word "and" at the end ~ll be omitted; (it) after clause (b), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:-"(c) provide for the levy of such further charges a may be necessary for the return of undelivered pettal arilcles, or of any class thereof, to the sender"'; (b) for sub-section (3), the followmg sub-seetion shall be substituted, namely:-10 "(3) every undelivered postal article, after beini detained at a post office for theperibd preaeribed under clause (4) at subsection (2), shall be forwarded-(a) to the post office at which it was posted for return to the sender on payment of the charges prescribed under clause (c) of sub-section (2); or (b) to such office a8 may be prescribed by rules made under this section" zz section 38 of the principal act shall be omitted~ omission or,sction38 10 23 for section 39 of the principal act, the following section sball be substituted, namely:-| subatitu    |     ||-------------|-------|| tionof      |       || ilew        |       || mction·     |       || tor-        | __    || tiona       |       |"39 (1) every postal article received at the offtce referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (3) of section 37, shall be dealt with in such manner as the central government may, by rules, prescribe disposal otundelivered postal uticl& (2) in particular and without prejudiee to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may prescribe-(a) the manner in which the i>ostal articles referred to in sub-section (1) may be opened for ascertaining the particulars of the sender or the addressee; (b) the manner in which the postal artieles referred to in sub-section (1) may be returned tet the sender or redirected and forwarded to the addr~see and further charges for such return or ~tionj (c) the period of detention &dd the manner of final dilpoaal of postal articles which are not disposed of in accordance with the provisions of clause cob); (d) the manner in which any money found in any postal article or sale proceeds of any saleable property found in any 5 postal article finally disposed of in accordance with the provision ot clause (c) shall be credited to the post office" i'dsertiod of new zf after section 43 of the principal act, the following section hall be injerted, nanlely:-le~oil 3a "4sa money ordera aball be paid at such times and in such 10 l'iianber al the director general may by order, from time to time, specify" tamo and manner of payment of money orders 25 in i8ctiqj1 '" of the principal act, in sub·aection (2), for the words "one year", the words "six months" shall be substituted amend ment of aection <44 26 in section 46 of the principal act, for sub-section (1) the follow- 15 ing sub-section shall be substituted, namely:-amend ment of ection 46 "(1) where arrangements made with any foreign country are in force for the issue and payment, through the post office, of money orders between india and such country, the centrnl government may make rules to give effect to such arrangements" 20 21 after section -17 of the principal act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:-inaerlion of new lection <47a recovery of valuepayablo article "47a if any person, without reasonable excuse, the burden of proving which shall ·lie on him, negleets or refuses to pay the valul ot the value-payable article delivered to him without recovering the 15 value of the article, such amount shall be recoverablt> by an officer of the post office authorised by the post master general in this behalf, from the person so neglecting or refusing as if it were an arrear c?f land revenue due from him!' 28 in section 52 of the principal act, for the words "imprisonment go for a term which may extend to seven yean", the words "imprisonment for life or for a term which may extend to ten years" shall be substituted amend ment of section 52 29 after section 56 of the principal act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:-insertion of new section 57 57 if any person-, ii  ~ i  (0) commits theft in respect of-!tealin, mail bar or postal ~rticle (i) a mail bag, or (ii) any poft~ ~rticl~ in the cqurse  of transmission by post, of (iii) any movable property out of a poaw article in course of transmission by post, or (b) stops a mail with intent to rob or search the mail , 5 he shall be punishable with imprisonment for life or for a term which may extend to ten years or with fine or with imprisonment and fine 10 ezpz4f&4tion-for the purposes of this section, the expression "mail" includes every conveyance by which postal article are carried, whether it be a ship, aircraft; vehicle, horse or any other conveyance and a person employed in conveying or delivering postal articles!;' 30  in secuon 58 of the principal act,-amend meat of section '8 (4) in lub-section (1), " (i) the brackets and figure" (1)>> shall be omitted; (ii) for the words' "with fine which may extend to fifty 15 rupees for every such letter", the words "with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or with both'" shall be substituted; 20 | amedel    | '      ||-----------|---------|| mot       |         || of        | seetioa || s9       |         |'" (b) sub·section (2) shall be omitted 31 in _ection 59 of the principal act,-(4) in sub·section (1), (i) the brackets and figure" (1)" shall be omitted; (ii) for the words "with fine which may extend to fifty rupees for every such letter", the words "with imprisonment for a tenn which may extend to three years or with ftne or with both" shall be substituted; 25 (b) sub-section (2) shall be omitted 32 after section 60 of the principal act, the following section shan be inserted, namely:-jnsertion of new section ma "60a whoever contravenes any rule made udder section 16, sub-section (3), clause (da), leading to leakage of revenue, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or with both" penalty for contravention of section 16 33 in section 64 of the principal act, for the words "by this act", the words "by or under this· act" shall be substituted  amead ment of section 64 35 34 in section 67 of the principal act, in the proviso, for the words and 5f 1198 figures "the code of criminal procedure, 1898", the words and figure 2 , 197 "the code of criminal procedure, 1973" shall be substituted amend mentof aectioli 67  i 35 in section 69 of the principal act, for the word "letter", occurring at both the places, the words "postal article!' shall be substituted amend ment of ioctiod 69 40 31 in aection 72 of the principal act, the figures "58, 89," ,hall be omitted ameddmept 01 eection 72 37 in chapter x of the principal act, after section 72 the following section shall be inserted, namely:-i1lwtioe of new sectlod 7ia trial of  "72a (1) an offence under this act may be tried by any court within the local limits of whose jurisdiction it was committed or the alleged offender is arrested or it,; in custody or, where the offence 5 - in respect of a mail, mail bag, postal article, or money order or any movable property sent by post, within the local limits of whose jurisdiction themailmail bag, postal article money order or movable property passed in the course of transmission by post (2) abetment of an offence under this act may be tried by 10 any court by which the offence abetted may be tried 2 of 1974 (3) nothing in this section shall affect the jurl9diction of a court competent to try an offence under this act by virtue of the provisions 0'- the code of criminal procedure, 1973" 38 section 73 of the principal act shall be omitted 15 omiiaioa mctioa 73j 3t in section 74: of the principal act,-(4) in sumection (3), the words "and, on such publication, shall haye e1!ect u if enacted by this act" shall be omitted;  , (b) after sub-sectlon (3), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:-20 " (4) every rule made under this act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each house of parliament while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive seions, and if, before the expiry of the session fmmediatelv 25 following the session ot' the successive session!; aforesaid, both houses a~e in m~king any modification in the rule or both housee agree that the rule should not be made, the rule hall thereafter have effpct only ;n such modified fornl or be of no et!ect, as the case mal' be; !l0 however, that any !llrb modi- 30 flcation or annulment shall be without nre;udice to the validity of anythln'g previously done under that rule"  statement of objects and reasonsthe indian post office act wiul enacted in 1898 the law codlillilsion has in its thirty-eiihth report made a number of recommendatiodi for the revision of the act thereafter, the matter was further examined in detail thia bill seeks to give effect to such of the recommendations made by the law commission as have been found acceptable and it also seeka to make certain other amendments in the act for dealing with difficulties wlaich have been experienced in the wox-king of the act 2 section 26 of the act provides that on the occurrence of any public emergency or in the interests of public safety and tranquillity, the central government or a state government or any authorised oftlcer may, by order in writing, direct that any postal article or class or description of postal articles in course of transmission by post shall be intercepted or detained or disposed of in such manner as the authority issuing the order may direct there has been a demand that the provisions of this section should be reviewed the law commission has, in its report gone into the matter at great length it is proposed to amend this section so as to clearly bring the provisions thereof within the limits permitted by the constitution 3 the following are the other important amendments which the bill ~eeks to make in the act:-(a) the bill provides for exemption from the purview of the exclusive privilege of the central government to convey letters, items like strictly personal letters, documents issued by court of justice or other authorities entitled to do so and letters concerning goods or property sent by any means without any consideration (b) the bill seeks to empower the central government to search and seize packages containing letters posted in violation of the act and the manner in which such power is to be exercised (c) the bul seeks to empower the central government to grant rebate in the rates of postage in respect of postal articles on which postage is prepaid by means of stamping machines (d) quite often, the registered newspapers have been found misusing the facility of concessional rates of postage to promote their commercial activities to check the abuse of this facility, the central government intends to curb the transmission of catalogues or price lists along with the newspaper and also intends to restrict the transmission of business reply cards along with the newspaper only for the bona fide subscription ot that newspaper (e) with the increased use of franking machines by the mailers for reasons of economy and convenience, instances of tampering of these machines leading to leakage ot revenue to the government have come to notice to check the abuse ot this facility, the central government seeks to empower itself with the powers for inspection and seizure ot such machines suspected to be uled traudulently leading to leakage ot government revenue (f) under the existing provisions of the act, government acceptl liability in respect of sums specified for recovery of delivery of value  payable articles only when the sum has been received from the addressee the bill provides for the assumption of liability to pay even when such articles are delivered to an addressee without recovering the value by mistake consequent upon the assumption of this liability,  it is proposed to empower the central government to collect the amount from the addressee as an arrear of land revenue,' if the addressee neglects or refuses to pay the same on demand (g) the bill seeks to make some of the punishments provided for in the act more stringent 4 it is nlso proposed to avail' of the present opportunity to include in the act a provision for the laying of rules made under the act before parliament 5 the notes on clau~3 explain in detail the various provisions of the bill new delhi; santosh mohan dev  28th october, 1986 clause 2-this clause eeka ~ omit the word 'indian' from the _-pression 'indian polt oftice act, 1898' to bring it into confonnity with recent legislative practice i clause 3 (a) -sub-clauses (i) and (iv) seek to define the expressions 'director general' and 'post master general' in the light of the changed let l;ij in the department sub-clause (iii) seeks to add the word 'lettercard' in the expression 'postal article' to make it comprehensive clause (iv) seeks to define the expression 'stamping machine' clauses 3(a) (ii), 10(a), 11, 17,20 and 26-these clauses seek to omit the references to 'united kingdom', 'british possessions', 'her majesty', etc, from the concerned provisions of the act as they are no longer relevant clause 3 (b) -this sub-clause seeks to insert a new sub-section for construction of references to a law in the act which is not in force in any area to be construed as a reference to the corresponding law, if any, in force in that area clause 4-tbis clause seeks to make the definition of the word 'delivery' more comprehensive by bringing the delivery of postal articles in letter deposit boxes and post boxes in its ambit clause 5-this clause enumerates the types of letters exempted from the purview of the exclusive privilege given to the department for ('onveyance of letters under this clause, conveyance of strictly personal letters, documents issued by a court of justice or other authorities entitled to issue the same and letters concerning goods or property sent by air without any consideration also will be exempted from the exclusive privilege of conveyance of postal articles granted to the department it is proposed to widen the expression 'letters' so as to include "lettercards" in it i clause 6-this clause seeks to insert a new section 4a empowering the officers mentioned therein to exercise the powers of 'search and seizure in case of contravention of section 4 it also provides the manner in which this power is to be exercised clause 7-'i'his clause seeks to include the owners or persons incharge of· any aircraft on a flight between places in india in the list of persons expressly forbidden to convey letters cl4use 8-sub-clause (a) seeks to empower the central government make rules· to grant rebate in the rates of postage in respect of postal articles on which postage is pre,:,paid and pre-sorted", etc sttb-clause (-b) seeks to empower the central government to prescribe' fees for any service as may be specified in relauon to "any postal article i - ' clause g-this clause seeks to enumerate the eligibility criteria which a registered newspaper should have, to enjoy the concessional postage facility under this clause, a registered newspaper for the purpose of availing concessional postage facility should be published at such intervals as the central government may by rules prescribe, and should have a bema fide list of subscribers and should be otherwise eligible for transmi'ssion by post under this act clause 10 (b) -this sub-clause seeks to insert a new sub-section in section 10, empowering the central government to make rules to give effect to arrangements in respect of postal articles mentioned therein clause 12-this clause seeks to empower the central government to make rules to regulate the use of stamping machines clause 13-this clause seeks to insert a new section 16a empowering the officer of the post office to enter the premises and inspect and ;eize the stamping machine in ease of its misuse clause 14-this clause seeks to insert a new sub-section (4) in section 21 so as to empower the central government to issue an order indicating the manner of posting and delivery of postal articles in bulk and delivery of postal articles in multi-storeyed buildings, etc clause i5-this clause deals with the procedure to be observed before destroying the articles posted in contravention of the act under the clause, before destroying any article :posted in contravention of the act, notices in writing are to be sent to the sender and the addressee and the article is to be destroyed only after the expiry of one month from the date on which the last of such notices is sent clause 17;-this clause seeks to amend section 26 of the act under this section, the central government or a state government or any oilicer specially authorised fo~ this purpose shall have the powers to direct that postal articles or class or description of postal articles in course of transmission by post shall be intercepted on the occurrence of any public emergency or in the interest of the public safety or tranquillity to b,ring section 26 in line with the constitutional provi'sions, it is proposed to provide that on the occurrence of any public emergency, or in the interest of the public safety, or tranquillity, the central government or a state government, or any officer specially authorised in this behalf by the central government or a state government may if aatisfied that it is necessary or expedient to do so in the interests of the liovereignty and integrity of india or the security of the state, or friendly relations with any foreign state or public order or fo~ preventing incitement to the commission of an offence, by order in writing direct that any postal article in the course of transmission by post, shall be intercepted or detained or shall be dispo~ed of in such manner as the authority issuing the order may direct thia clause also seeks to omit sub-section (2) of section 26 so as to w:ovide for judicial review of any action taken under this section claube~ 18 and 34-these clauses seek to amend sections 27c and 67 of the act to replace the references to certain sections of the code of c~iminal procedure, 1898 by the relevant sections of the code of criminal procedure, 1973 which has since replaced the earlier code clau'!e 19-section 34 of the act provides that the government shall not accept any liability in respect of the sum specified for recovery 011 delivery of value payable article until and unless that sum has been received from the addressee: this clause provides that the central government shall assume liability in respec:t of a case where yalue payable article is delivered to an addressee without recovering the talue of the article by mistake clause 21-this clause seeks to empower the central government to frame rules for levying a further charge for returning the postal article to the sender and also 'seeks to substitute the post oftlce as may be specified by the central government in place of post master general' office clau'!e 22-this clause seeks to omit section 38 clause 23-this clause ~eeks to substitute section 39 and provides for the manner of disposal of postal articles and further charges for retum or redirection from the post office as specified by the central govemmellt under section 37 (3)   clause 24-this clause seeks to make a general provision with regard to tne time and manner of payment of money orders as similar provisions relating to registration and insurance already exist c'-ause 25-this clause seeks to reduce the period for making a claim from one year to six months by the' payee or remitter of money lent through money orders  i clause 27-consequent upon assuming liability for a value payable artic1p after its deliverv to the addressee without recovering the value hy mistake, it becomes "necessary to assume power to recover such value as an arrear of land revenue, if the addressee neglects or refuses to pay the same on demand clause 28-section 52 of the act deals with the penalty for theft, dishqlnest misappropriation secretion destruction or throwing away of postal articles under the section, the pnnishment for such an oft'ence 10; imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and shall also be punishable with fine this clause seeks to make the punishment more stringent by extending the imprisonment for life or for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be punishable with fine clause 29-this clause is self-explanatory clause 3o-this clause seeks to make the punishment more stringent for offences committed in violation of the exclusive privilege of conveyahce conferred on the government by providing for impri'sodment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine or with both clause 3t-this clause also seeks to make the punishment more severe for offences committed by persons who are expressly forbiddew trom conveying letters under section 5 of this act clauae s2-'l'his clause provides for penalty for breach of afty rule made under clause (da) of sub-section (3) at section 18 clause 33-section 64 of the act deals with penalty for making false dee1arations at present, the section requires certain declarationa to be made in respect of postal articles now it is proposed to bring within the ambit of this penal provision declarations which are required to be made not only by the act but also by the rules made under this act clause 35-section 69 of the act deals with the penalty for unlawfuljy diverting letters the word 'letter' is being replaced by 'postal article' to make the section more comprehensive clause 36-this clause seeks to specify the jurisdiction of courts for trial of offences committed under the act clause 37-with enhancement of punishment provided in sections 58 and 59 of the act, the offences punishable under the aforesaid sections would become cognizable' this clause, therefore, seeks to omit the referenees to sections 58 and 59 from section 72 of the act clause 38-this clause seeks to omit section 73 of the act which empowers the central government to make rules relating to management of zamindari and other district posts, as this system is not in vogue now clause 39-section 74 of the act empowers the government to make rules for carrying out the purposes and the objects of the act the act, however, does not provide for laying of the rules before both houses of parliament this clause 'seeks to provide that rules framed undm- the act will be laid before parliament this is in conformity with recent legista tive practice clause 19 of the bill propoaes· to amend 'section 34 of the indian post office act, 1898 to provide' for the assumption, by the central government, of liability in respect 'of sums specified for the recovery of delivery of value payable articies even when: such articles are delivered to addressees without recovering the value by mistake it is not possible to estimate the expenditure tbat would be involved on this since it depends upon the number of such articles delivered from time to time further, clause 27 proposes to insert new section 47a in the act to provide that though the government would first make the payment, the same would be recovered from the concerned addressee as an arrear of land revenue if the addressee n~glects or refuses to pay the same on demand hence the expenditure from the conlolidated fund of india may, in the final analysis, be nil 2 apart from the above, no other expenditure whether recurring or non-recurring, is likely to be incurred if the provsisions of the bill ilre enacted and brought into operation clause 8 of the bill which seeks to amend section 8 of the indian post office act, 1898 proposes to empower the·central government to make rules to grant rebate in the rates of postage in respect of postal articles on which postage is prepaid by means of stamping machine and the manner of pre-payments which are pre-sorted it also empowers the central government to specify the manner of posting of such postal articles 2 clause 9 of the bill seeks to amend section 9 (2) of the act to empower the central government to make rules for prescribing the number of intervals at which any registered newspaper should be published 3 clause 10 of the bill proposes to insert a new sub-section (3) in section 10 of the act so as to empower the central government to make rules to give effect to arrangements which are in force with any foreign country for the transmission by post of certain postal articles between india and such country 4 clause 12 of the bill seeks to insert a new clause (da) after clause (d), in sub-section (3) of section 16 of the act to empower the central government to make rules for regulating the use of stamping machines 50 clause 13 of the bill proposes to insert a new section 16a to empower the central government to make rules for inspection and seizure of stamping machines used in contravention of the provisions of this act and it further empowers the central government to make rules providing for the manner of dealing with the stamping machines seized under this clause 6 clause 14 of the bill seeks to amend section 21 of the act to empower the central government to make rules to specify-(a) the number of postal articles which cannot be posted by a sender unless the same are pre-sorted and comply with such other conditions as may be specified in the rules; (b) the number of postal articles, delivery of which may be made to an addressee only through a post box this clause further seeks to empower the central government to direct any' owner or lessee or any addressee located in a multistoreyed building or a building with large compound involving a distance of one hundred metres or more between the outer gate and the building or a building wherein any dog or other dangerous animals are let loose to fix deposit boxes for delivery of letters on the ground floor or at the gate of such building  7 clause 16 of the bill proposes to substitute section 26 by a new section which empowers the ce~tral government or a state government or any officer specially authorised in this behalf by that government to direct that any postal article or class or description of postal articles in course of transmission by post be intercepted or detained or disposed of in such manner as the authority issuing the order may direct this power will, however, be exercised only where it is necessary or expedient so to do in the interests of the public safety or tranquillity, the sovereignty and integrity of india, the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states or public order or preventing incitement to the commission or any offence or the occurrence of any public emergency 8 clause 21 ot the bill propose to amend sub-sections (2) and (3) of the act seeks to empower the central government to frame rules for levying of further charges for disposal of undelivered postal articles it further empowers central government to prescribe the office where undeliv~red articles are to be sent 9 clause 23 of the bill which seeks to substitute section 39 of the act by a new section 10 empower the central government to make rules-(a) regarding the manner of disposal of undelivered postal articles by the post office to be specified under clause (b) of subsection (3) of section 37 and to provide for levy of further charges for return or redirection of'such undelivered postal articles by such post office; i  , (b) regarding the manner in which any money found in postal articles or sale proceeds of any saleable property found in any postal article shall be credited to the post offices 10 clause 26 of the bill proposes to substitute sub-section (1) of section 46 of the act by a new sub-section to empower -the central government to make rules to give effect to the arrangements made in any foreign country for the issue and payment (through the post office) of money orders between india and such foreign country the- matters with respect to which rules may be made under the aforesaid provisions are matt&rs of procedure or detail, the delegation of legislative power contained in such provisions, is, therefore, of a normal character  annexure(a or 1888) - - - - -  chapter i1 (1) this act may be called the indian post office act, 1898 - - - - - short title extent, application and commen cement definl tions 2 in this act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,-(a) the expression "director general" means the director general of posts and telegraphs:  - - - - - (d) the expression "mail ship" means a ship employed for carrying :nails, pursuant to contract or continuinc!: arrangement,' by the central government or her majesty's government or the- govern ment of any british possession or foreign country; - - - - - 1'1) the expression "postal article" includes a letter, postcarc1, newspaper, book, pattern or sample packet, parcel and every article or thing transmissible by post;· (;) the expression "post master general" includes a deputy post master genera] or other officer exercising the powers of a po'" mashr general; and , - - -  - • for the purpoe- of w~  , ,j - - - - - ';"'''-' of ~ i ~ of  miiuoa by poet" iud "delivery" (c) the delivery of a potal article at the house orotftee of the' adclreuee, or to the addreaee or his servant oragant cjr other }:ierson considered to be authorized to receive the article accordin, to the ulual manner ot delivering ,ostal artici" to the ad~esaee, shall be deemed to be delivery to the addressee  chapter ii pluvilege and protection of the go~&dullve ,rmle  of conv,, letter ~ aemld to tho go vomment 4 (1) wherever within india posts or postal communications are estltblished by the central government, the central government shall have the exclusive privilege of conveying by post, from one place to an other, all letters except in the following cases, and shall also have the exclusive privilege of performing all the incidental services of receiving, collecting, sending, despatching and 'delivering all letters, except in the following cases that is to say:-- - - - (b) letters solely concerning the affairs of the sender or receiver thereof, sent by'· a 'nessengelt on purpo~ and - (c) letters solely concernin/! i!oods ornronertv sent either by sea or by land to be delivered with ,the goods or property which the letters concern, without hire, reward or other profit or advantage for receiving, carrying or delivering them: provided that nothing in this section shall authorize ,any person to '~~ke a collection of letters excepted as aforesaid fo~ the purpose of send· ing them otherwise than by post (2) for the puryoses of this section an<j section 5, "the expression "letters" includes postcards -cmtaid periods apr"'y '~d to cloilwy letten 5 wherever wiulin 'india posts or, postal communications are estab-, li~ed by the central qove!"t'lmept, the "'ol1owirll~' persons aree~  forb'dden to collect, ,c~,,tendet'or df:1iver jet~s "r ,to ~etve letters , ftir the purpose of cai-rying'or 'deiiverinrr them although ,·tj,eyebtain fto hire, reward or other profit or advantage for so doing, that'is to say:-- - - - - i (b) owners andmas~et$ of ve~sels sailing or passing on any river or canal in india, or' between any ports or places in india, and their lervants or agents, except as regards letters solely concerning gooda on board, and except as regards postal artteles received for conveyance under chapter vii   - - - ,  • the central govenuneftt "j, byrul--- - - -  " ,) (4) require the prepayment of postage on inland postal articles or any class of inland postal articlea, and prescribe the manner in  which prepayment shall be made;  at, ie make rules  ·to pay_ _t of jioilap aild fea 'w certaia  •• - - - (d) prescribe the fees to be charged for the "express delivery" of postal articles, in addition to, or instead of, any other postage chargeable thereon under this act :1 explananon-clexpreas delivery" means delivery by a special mellen-~er or conveyance 9 (1) - - - - - (2) for the purpose of such registration, every publication, consisting wholly or in great part of political or other news, or of articles relating thereto or to other current topics, with or without advertisements, shall be deemed a newspaper, subject to the following conditions, namely:-power to lilake rules as tore,isterpod ·118w papers (a) that it is published in numbers at intervals of not more than thlrty-one days; and (b) that it has a bona fide list of subscribers  - -  - - power to declare rates of foreign poitage 10 (1) where arrangements are in force with the united kingdom, or with any british possession or foreign country, for the transmission by post of postal articles' between india and the united kingdom or such pn!:ses!';ion or country, the central government may, in conformity with the provisions of such arrangements, declare what postage rates and other <:'1ms shall be charged in respect of such postal articles, and mav make rules aa to the scale of wei rht, tenns and conditions· subject to whic:h tho rates so declared shall be charged  - - - - - official 15 the official mark on a postal article denoting that any postage or mark to other ~um is due in respect thereof to the post ofbce of india or to the !:::::: ~ost offtce of the uni~ kingdmn dr 'of any brttfsh possession or· toreign f/i  p ~oli~try, man be 1""l'ms frjefie·mtenee that tlie sum  denoted as afore  ~lifd is so due  chaptelt iv postagz stud's16 (1) - - - - - (3) ·in particular and without prejudice to the genetality of the foregoing power, such rules may-i , • - - - - - pr0visiun ' of postage stamps and power to make nsles as , thtm ···'·'·11 (1)                            -                                                 -                                                                      -                                                                                          -                                                                                                               - ~ i  ': • ,  (2) in particular and without prejudice to the gener8lity of the foregoing power, such rules may-                                                                                                                                                          f                                                             -                                                                                             -                                                                                                                             -                                                                                                                                                             - power to make rules as to transmission by post of postal articles (d) provide for the granting of receipts for, and the granting and obtaining of certificates of, posting and delivery of postal articles and the sums to be paid, in addition to any other postage, for such receipts and certificates; and - - , - - - , ! 23 (1) - - - - - <") notwithstanding anything in sub-section (1)-i   - - - - power to deal with postal articles posted in contravention ot act (b) any postal article sent by post in contravention of the provisions of section 20 may be disposed of in such manner as the central government may by rule direct - - - - - power to intercept po'tai  articles for public aoocj, 26 (1) on the occurrence of any public emergency, or in the interest of the public safety or tranquillity, the central government, or a state government, or any officer bpecially authorized in this behalf by the central or the state government, may by order in writing, direct that any postal article or class or description of postal articles i~ course of transmission by post shall be intercepted or detained, or shall be disposed of in e:uch manner as the authority issuing the order may direct (2) if any doubt arises as to the existence of a public emergedcj' oi! as to whether any act done under sub-section (1) was in the intereat of the public safety or tranquillity, a certificate of the central government ~; as the case rnb:y be, of the state government shall be conclusive 'proof on the point  ~ 27 (1) where a postal article is received by post from any place beyond the limits of india-:1 (a) bearing q ftctitious postage stamp, that is to say, any facsimile or indtation or representation of a postage stamp or l (b) purporting to be prepaid with any postage stamp which·~ been previously used to prepay any other postal article, power to deal with postal article, from abroad bearill, fictitious or previously uicd stamp' the officel' itl charge of the post offi~ at which th~ postal article is recely ed, shall send a notice to the addressee inviting him to attend, either in pe,rson or by agent, within a specified tim at the post oftlce to receive dt:li~ry of th~ postal article ,,' ',', 'i"" i  (2) u the addressee or hfa agent attends at the post office within the time specified in the notice and consents to make known to the officer in charge of the post oface the name and address of the sender of the poltai article and to ~dliver to the oftlcer aforeeaid the portion of the postal article" which baal'll the addre- and the ftetitioui or previoully 1ii8ci postage stamp, or, if the postal article is inseparable from the stamp, t1w entire ~ article, -the postal article shad be delivered to the add~ or his agent ,' "' ,--" (3) if the addressee or his agent fails to attend at the post oftlce within the time specified in the notice, or, having attended within that time, retuses to make known the name and address of the sender or to redeliver the postal article or portion thereof as required by sub-section (2), the postal article shall not be delivered to him, but shall be disposed of in such manner as the central governmept may direct explanation-for the purposes of this section, the expression "postage stamp" includes any postage stamp for denoting any rate or duty of post age of any part of india or of his majesty's dominions or foreign country and the impression of any stampin~ machine p~ovided or a~thorized for the like purpose by or under the authority of \he government of such part or country 27c every application made under the second proviso to sub-section (3) of section 27b shall be heard and determined in the manner provided by sections 99d to 99f of the code of criminal procedure, 1898, by a special bench of the high court constituted in the manner provided by '~ction g9c of that code - ' - - -  - procedure for dil posal by hip cl)urt of ' applic:-tiodl 'for reteuo of de,  8dd rtiel _ rta1aed trdildii aioll by post of vlue-payable, podal artiiim ,~ the central government may, by notiacation in the oaew gazette, direct that, subject to the other provisions of this act and to tee payment of fees at such rates as may be fixed by the notification, a sum of money specified in writing at the time f)f posting by the sender of - postal article shall be recoverable on the delivery thereof from the addressee, and that the sum, so recoyered, shall be paid to the sender: provided that the central', government hall not incur any liability in respect of the sum spedfted for recovery, unless and untu that sum hu "'0" tieceivedfrom the adclressee , - - - power , liv,dect to arra  media widl other c:ouatdei ,ii (1) where artmgemerrts made ~th the un1~ kingdom, or with any british possession, or foreign country min foree, for the trlllllmiuloo by post of registered, insured or value-payable postal artielee ~een tp'dfii,'nd the united kingdom or' s,uch possession or country, the cedtnl cove~e~t may make rules to live eftect to such&r~anaemen •  -,~ '   undelivered postal arncles - - - - 37 (1) - (2) in particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may- ,; " '" - - - - - (3) every undelivered postal article, after being detained 'it a post office for the period prescribed by rule under the foregoing provisions of this section, shall be either forwarded, free of further charge, to the post office at which it was posted, for return to the sender, or sent to the office of the post master general power to make rules as to disposalof undeliveredpostal articles 38 (1) every postal article received at the office of the post master general under sub-section (3) of section 37 shall be dealt with as follows:- (a) if practicable, it shall be redirected and forwarded by post to the addressee; or, disposal of undelivered postal articles at office of post m~ ter general (b) if it cannot be redirected and forwarded as aforesaid, it shall be opened by some officer, appointed by the post master general in this behalf and bound to secrecy, in order to ascertain the name and address of the sender (2) if the name and address of the sender are so ascertained, it shall be returned by post to the sender, free of further charge or subject to such further charge as the central government may by rule, direct final dis posal of undelivered postal articles 39 undelivered postal articles which cannot be disposed of under the foregoing provisions, shall be detained in the office of the post master general for such further period (if any), and shall be dealt with in such -anner, as the central government may, by rule, direct: provided that-(a) letters and postcards shall be destroyed; (b) money or saleable property, not being of a perishable nature, found in any undelivered postal article, shall be detained for a period of one year in the oftlce of the post master general, and, if on the expiration of that period no person has establislied his right thereto, shall, if money, be credited to the post office, and, if saleable property, be sold, the sale-proceeds being credited to the post office  44 (1) remitter to recall money order or alter of payee - (2) if neither the payee nor the remitter of a money order can be found, and if within the period of one year from the date of the issue of the order no claim is made by such payee or remitter, the amount of such order shall not be claimable from the government power to give effect to arrange ments with other countries 46 (1) where arrangements made with the united kingdom, or with any british possession, or foreign country are in force, for the issue and payment through the post office of money orders between india and the united kingdom or such possession, or country, the central government may make rules t:> give effect to such arrangements - - -  - 5% whoever, being an officer of the post office, commits theft in respect of, or dishonestly misappropriates, or, for any purpose whatsoever, secretes, destroys or throws away, any postal article in course of transmission by post or anything contained therein, shall be ounisha ble wi th imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be punishable w!tk fine - - - - - penalty for theft dishonest, misappropriation secretion destruction, or throw_ ing away of postal articles  other offences58 (1) whoever-(a) conveys otherwise than by post, a letter within the exclusive privilege conferred on the central government by section 4, or penalty for contravention of lee: tion 4 (b) performs any service incidental to conveying, otherwise than by post, any letter within the exclusive privilege aforesaid or (c) sends, or tenders or delivers in order to be sent, otherwise than by post, a letter within the exclusive privilege aforesaid, or (d) makes a collection of letters excepted from the exclusive privilege aforesaid for the purpose of sending them otherwise than by post, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to fifty rupees for r:-vcry such letter (2) whoever, having already been convicted of an offence under this section, is again convicted thereunder, shall, on every such subsequent 'onviction, be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees 59 (1) whoever in contravention of the provisions of section 5, carries receives, tenders or delivers letters, or collects letters, shall be "urushable with flne which may extend to fifty rupees for every such letter penalty for contravention of sec tion s (2) whoever, having already been convicted of an oft'enc~ under this section, is again convicted thereunder, shall, on every such subsequent conviction, be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees - - - - penalty for mak_ ing false declaration 04 whoever, being required by this act to make a declaration in respect of any postal article to' be sent oy post or the contents or value thereof, makes in his declaration arty statement' which he ktlows, or has reason to believe, to be false, or does not believe to be true, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, and, if the false declaration is made for the purpose of defrauding the government, with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees  - - - - - 61 whoever, except under the authority of this act or of any other act for the time being in force or in obedience to the order in writing f)f the central government or the direction of a competent court, detains the mails or any postal article in course of transmission by post or on any pretence opens a mail bag in course of transmission by post shall be punishable with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees: penalty for detaining mailg or open_ ing mail bag provided that nothing in this section shall prevent the detention of an officer of the post office carrying the mails or any postal article in course of transmission by post on a charge of having committed an 'ffence declared to be cognizable by the code of criminal procedure, 5 of 1898  penalty for unlawfully  j diverting letters ~ 398, or any other law for the time being in force - - - - - 69 whoever, not being an officer of the post office, wilfully and maliciously, with intent to injure any person, either opens or causes to be opened any letter which ought to have been delivered, or does ~ny act whereby the due delivery of a letter to any person is prevented or impeded, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both: provided that nothing in this section shall apply to a derson who does any act to which the section applies, if he is a parent, or in the position of a parent or guardian, of tbe addressee, and the addressee is a m~nor or a ward  - - - - 72 no court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable undei-any of the provisions of sections 51, 53, 54, clauses (a) and (b), 55, 56, 58 fi9, 61, 64 65, 66 and 67 of this act, unless upon complaint made hy oraet' of, or under authority from, the director general or a post !\faster general authority for prosecutions under certain sections of act  chapter xi73 (1) the central governmertt may make rules for the management of any zamindari or other district post zamindari and other district posts (2) in particular and without preudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may declare what portions of this act shall be applicable to zamindari and other d~strict posts and to the persons employed in connection therewith 74 (1)                  -                                    -                                                     -                                                                     -                                                                                      - general 'power to make rules and provi sios as    (3) all rules made by the central government under this act shall be published in the official gazette and, on such publication, shall have effect as if enacted by this act            -                        -                                    -                                                -                                                            - ",~ rules   under   act :,  ,  a bill further to amend the indian post office act, 1898 '  (shri stmtosh moh4n dev, minister oj state for communicationl)  subject: statement of reasons for withdrawal of indian post office (amendment) bill, 1986the extant indian post office act was enacted in 1898 and there have been only minor amendments to it thereafter obviously, therefore, some of the provisions of the act are anachronistic and no longer relevant therefore, amendment of the act of 1898 was envisaged in 1986 with the introduction of the indian post office (amendment) bill, 1986 the bill was passed by the lok sabha and thereafter sent to the rajya sabha and there it remained pending since 1986 2 during the last 16 years very many changes have taken place and the impact         of globalisation and                                  revolutionary development in                                                                    information technology have brought about basic and major changes in the communication market these changes have transformed the perception and the expectation of the public as the consumer of the services and products                                                                    consequently, market forces have generated competition among different players leading to improvement in quality of services and emergence of more consumer-friendly features in the market driven economy, the traditional services provided by the department of posts have been losing their usefulness and the need has been felt for more relevant, useful services and products which meet the requirements of the customers this essential reform of the postal sector has to be conceived and achieved within the basic legal framework provided by the relevant indian post office act, 1898 and it is in this context that amendment of indian post office act, 1898 have become an essential and urgent need 3 the post office is now required to fulfil the following objectives:-(a) fulfil its universal service obligation of meeting the common man's needs in communication market at an affordable price· as part of a larger international postal, community (b) achieve financial self-sufficiency with a timeframe reducing its dependence on budgetary support (c) make available the benefits of electronic media communication to larger segments of customers in the country 4 the postal sector from its inception has been an open sector with only the privilege to carry letter mail being reserved for the government emergence of private entrepreneurs commonly known as "couriers" have resulted in service being offered at widely varying prices with no accountability and no standard of efficiency obviously, there is a genl need for regulating the activities of the participants in the postal se' now to safeguard consumer interests in consonance with internatiorlal practice countries like spain, malaysia, singapore, canada, philippines etc have enacted laws to regulate the courier operations however, indian post office (amendment) bill 2002 only seeks to provide for registration of courier so that these players in the postal sector acquire a legal entity, abide by a common code of conduct and become accountable to their customers in terms of efficiency of service 5 the department of posts has recently taken initiatives to introduce new services with a view to improving its finances and also to meet the new and growing demands of various customer segments as a result of liberalization and globalization of economy the department is, therefore, called upon to re-design and re-position its traditional services and products in competition with other service providers so as to maintain its niche in the new economic scenario therefore, a provision has to be made in the act for their inclusion by suitable amendment hitherto not envisaged in the drafting of the indian post office (amendment) bill 1986 6 it is also proposed to enable the department to introduce eenabled services to make available the benefits of electronic media of communication, keeping in view the recommendations no106 made by the prime minister's task force on information technology & software development this will also be an important step towards bridging the digital divide in the country 7 it is also proposed to effect important changes in the structure of the organization by according a formal legal status under the act to the postal          services                      board,                                entrusted                                             with                                                    the                                                          responsibility                                                                           of operationalizing the various provisions of the act and live upto the expectations of the customers                                 this is also an aspect which was not envisaged in the draft indian post office (amendment) bill, 1986 8 thus, the amendments now proposed are provisional for:-(a) registration of courier services (b) introduction of new services for improvement of finances (c) weeding out anachronistic and irrelevant provisions (d) induction of technology for e-enabled services for wider extension of benefits of electronic media communication (e) provide legal basis for postal services board to give effect to the provisions of the act all this represent substantial departure from the amendments which were proposed in the draft indian post office (amendment) bill, 1986 9 in view of the foregoing, it is proposed to withdraw the indian post office act (amendment) bill 1986 pending in the rajya sabha to pave the way for introduction of indian post office (amendment) bill 2002 