‘Express’ courier cos seek independent regulatory body

‘Express’ courier operators are seeking an independent regulatory authority to regulate the written communications sector. This follows a move by the government to entrust the Department of Posts to register operators carrying out functions of collection, transmission and delivery of documents and parcels through a proposed amendment. Section 4 of the Indian Post Office Act 1898 confers on the central government the exclusive privilege of collection, transmission and delivery of letters. In a memorandum addressed to union minister of information technology & communications Dayanidhi Maran, Express Industry Council states, “The proposed amendment to this section seeks to confer on the central government the discretion to authorise any person to engage in any or all the activities stated in that section.” In fact, this would mean direct competition to the traditional postal service, erode its financial viability and consequently, its ability to provide an affordable universal service. “But we had never asked for this type of broad authorisation to engaged in all the activities of the post office,” Express Industry Council of India chairman RK Saboo said. The word `Express’ in the courier and parcel segment essentially means that these documents are carried through air. Currently, there are 30 such companies who constitute 80-85% of the `express’ courier and parcel segment, says Mr Saboo. Under Scrutiny Section 4 of the Indian Post Office Act confers on the central government the exclusive privilege of collection, transmission and delivery of letters There are 30 such companies who constitute 80-85% of the `express’ courier and parcel segment The proposed bill has also introduced stringent penal provisions including imprisonment of directors and managers of the company for acts and omissions of the staff Moreover, it is incorrect to presume that the express industry is not regulated by any other act, rules or norms of the country. They are subject to the jurisdiction of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, whose jurisdiction the proposed amendment bill will oust, Mr Saboo adds. The proposed bill has also introduced stringent penal provisions including imprisonment of directors and managers of the company for acts and omissions of the staff. “The minister however has assured us that this provision would be eliminated,” Mr Saboo said. The said bill was proposed by previous regime in 2002 which lapsed due to change of guard.