Rajya Sabha has approved a bill aimed at repealing the Indian Post Office Act, of 1898, while also consolidating and amending laws related to post offices in India. During discussions, opposition members raised concerns about certain provisions of the bill, questioning whether the government intended to establish a "surveillance state."

The government dismissed the concerns raised by members, with Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan asserting that provisions for reasons of national security have been incorporated. He emphasized that similar provisions existed in the previous version of the Post Office Bill as well.

"The government has a right to keep track of illegal substances like narcotics being transported through postal networks and this is in the public interest," Chauhan said. As per the Bill, the Central Government has the authority, through notification, to 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".

The bill was passed via a voice vote following a response from the Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw. According to the bill, the Post Office is mandated to offer services as per the rules prescribed by the Central Government, with the Director General of Postal Services responsible for regulating necessary activities and determining charges. The bill clarifies that India Post won't bear any liability for its services, except as prescribed by rules. During the debate, opposition members expressed concerns that the bill allows the government to open any parcel.

YSRCP's V Vijayasai Reddy endorsed the Bill, stating it advances the three pillars of a robust postal service: reliability, reach, and relevance. He proposed three suggestions to Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for enhancing the Bill — reconsider pricing strategies to enhance profitability and introduce location-based differential pricing, digitize services such as replacing money orders with mobile transfers, and invest in payments banks and financial services in rural areas.

Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed surveillance concerns, stating that clauses 9 and 10 of the Post Office Bill could lead to surveillance without authorities being held liable. She highlighted writing a letter to the government about potential hacking concerns for some Opposition members.

CPI's P Sandosh Kumar appreciated the Communications Minister for retaining Bill's name in English for broader understanding. He raised concerns about provisions for the interception of "any item," alluding to allegations related to the Pegasus spyware controversy. Kumar remarked, "This will turn our post offices into Pegasus offices."

National security is a concept that can be easily misused and "this government has misused it many times", he alleged. CPI-M's AA Rahim criticized the Bill, asserting that there have been no new posts created in postal services since 2014. "As of now, 90,000 existing posts (in postal services) are lying vacant. Is this the evolution and prosperity of the services?" he asked.

CPI-M's AA Rahim alleged that the concept of national security has been misused by the government multiple times. He criticized the Bill, noting no new posts have been created in postal services since 2014, with 90,000 existing positions vacant. Rahim claimed that the lack of appointments and the new Bill's provisions could lead to sector privatization, arguing that it goes against the federal principles of the country.

Image source: ANI