Government considering bill to control private courier service

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 registration 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 license to any registered courier who shall be called a licensee, for providing certain specific services.

There is no registration fee or license 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 license will be required only for reserve area, Universal Service Obligation (USO) and letter mail, as per the draft.

Source : The Economic Times, December 15, 2011