“The Post Office Bill, 2023” was introduced in Rajya Sabha on 10.08.2023 and was passed in Rajya Sabha on 04.12.2023. The Bill was then considered and passed by Lok Sabha on 13.12.2023 and 18.12.2023.

“The Post Office Act, 2023” received the assent of Hon’ble President of India on 24^th December 2023 and was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 1, dated 24^th December 2023 by Ministry of Law & Justice (Legislative Department) for general information.

The Act aims to create a simple legislative framework for delivery of citizen centric services, banking services and benefits of Government schemes at the last mile.

The Act does away with provisions such as the exclusive privilege of collecting, processing and delivering of letters, to enhance the ease of doing business and ease of living.

No penal provisions have been prescribed in the Act.

This provides a framework for prescribing standards for addressing of the items, address identifiers and usage of postcodes.

“The Post Office Act, 2023” vide Notification no. S.O. 2352€ dated 17^th June, 2024, comes into force w.e.f. 18^th June, 2024 and repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898.

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DK/SMP