I&B accepts key PCI demand, enhances levy on newspapers

Accepting a key demand of the Press Council of India (PCI), the Information and Broadcasting ministry has amended rules to allow the print media watchdog collect higher levy from newspapers for its functioning.
According to a notification issued by the ministry, the PCI may for the purpose of performing its functions under the Act, levy and collect fees from registered newspapers and news agencies during each financial year.
As per the specifications, a registered publication with a circulation range above 5,00,000 may have to pay Rs 25,000 per annum (if it is a daily), Rs 15,000 per annum if it is a bi-weekly or weekly and Rs 10,000 per annum from other categories.

In various other categories too, the levy has been enhanced, a source said.
The PCI and I&B ministry were recently locked in a confrontation over some of the issues which included, the Council's demand for a revision of levy of fee.
Matters had reached such a situation that the PCI issued warrants against the I&B secretary, while the Ministry approached the high court to get it stayed.
The two bodies also expressed divergent views regarding the PCI's powers.