KCA against amendment to Indian Post Office Act

Bangalore, Jul 17: Karnataka Couriers Association (KCA) today took strong exception to the Union Government's proposal to amend the Indian Post Office Act 1898 and said the move would lead to closure of thousands of courier services, rendering lakhs of employees jobless, besides hampering industrial growth in the country.

Talking to newspersons here, KCA President V Srinath alleged that the Bill proposed to be moved during the monsoon session of Parliament was nothing but a move by the Centre to bring in 'draconian' laws. There were many ways to improve the century-old Postal Department, which was facing threat to its existence, he added.

He said some of the provisions proposed in the Bill included restriction on courier service from carrying letters below 300 gms, imposition of USO fees of 10 per cent on turnover of above Rs 25 lakh, removal of limitation on foreign ownership of 49 per cent, and barring of registration of courier companies for revenue generation.

Mr Srinath said the Federation of Indian Courier Associations (FICA) would hold a Conference in New Delhi next month to create public awareness on the proposed Bill and chalkout its next course of action after the Centre introduced the Bill.

Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry President R C Purohit, who released a handbook published by the KCA, said the proposed Bill would have adverse impact on industries as couriers were utilised for quick despatching and receiving important business letters. Post Offices were known for delay and it was not wise to obstruct the functioning of the courier services just for survival of the Postal service, he added.

UNI