Section 16 (1) of the said Act empowers the Council to levy such fees, at such rates and in such manner, as may be prescribed, from registered newspapers/ periodicals and news agencies at different rates that may be prescribed for different newspapers having regard to their circulation and other matters. Section 16 (2) enjoins that any fees payable to the Council may be recovered as an arrear of land revenue.

Rule 10 of the Press Council Rules, 1979, as amended from time to time prescribes the different rates of fee ranging from Rs. 100/- to Rs. 7500/- per annum, depending on the circulation range of registered newspapers and periodicals. Those having circulation of upto 5,000 copies are exempted from payment of levy. The 'Explanation' under the said Rule 10 lays down that the circulation range of registered newspapers and periodicals shall be the latest circulation figures as available with the office of the Registrar of newspapers for India.
 

Government of India
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Notification

New Delhi 14th March, 1988

G. S. R........In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 25 of the Press Council Act 1978 (37 0f 1978), the Central Government hereby makes the following amendment to the Press Council (Amendment) Rules, 1981, namely
1. (i) These rules may be called the Press Council (Amendment) Rules, 1988.
(ii) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. In the Press Council Rules, 1979 for (a) to (f) of rule 10(1) and explanation there under the following shall be substituted, namely:

(a) registered newspapers and periodicals with a circulation range above 1,50,000-

(i)    Rs. 7,500 per annum from each daily;
(ii)   Rs. 4,500 per annum from each bi-weekly/weekly;
(iii)  Rs. 3,500 per annum from each fortnightly/monthly;
(iv)  Rs. 2,250 per annum from all other categories;

(b) registered newspapers and periodicals with a circulation range of above 1,00,000 and upto 1,50,000-

(i)   Rs. 5,250 per annum from each daily;
(ii)  Rs. 3,000 per annum from each bi-weekly/weekly;
(iii) Rs. 2,250 per annum from each fortnightly/monthly;
(iv) Rs. 1,500 per annum from all other categories;

(c) registered newspapers and periodicals with a circulation range of above 50,000 and upto 1,00,000-

(i)   Rs. 3,750 per annum from each daily;
(ii)  Rs. 2,250 per annum from each bi-weekly/weekly;
(iii) Rs. 1,500 per annum from each fortnightly/monthly;
(iv) Rs. 1,125 per annum from all other categories;

(d) registered newspapers and periodicals with a circulation range of above 15,000 and upto 50,000-

(i)   Rs. 1,500 per annum from each daily;
(ii)  Rs. 900 per annum from each bi-weekly/weekly;
(iii) Rs. 600 per annum from each fortnightly/monthly;
(iv) Rs. 450 per annum from all other categories;

(e) registered newspapers and periodicals with a circulation range of above 5,000 and upto 15,000-

(i) Rs. 200 per annum from each daily;
(ii) Rs. 150 per annum from each bi-weekly/weekly;
(iii) Rs. 100 per annum from each fortnightly/monthly;
(iv) Rs. 100 per annum from all other categories;

(f) Rs. 7,500 per annum from each class I News agency;

(g) Rs. 5,250 per annum from Class II News agency;

(h) Rs. 3,750 per annum from all other news agencies.

Explanation: For the purpose of this rule, the circulation range of registered newspapers and periodicals shall be the latest circulation figures as available with the Registrar of Newspapers for India and the criteria for classification of news agencies shall be such as indicated in the Report of the Wage Board for Working Journalists.


(Sd /- K. S. Baidwan)
Joint Secretary to the
Government of India

(F. No.4/1/87-Press)

Extract of the P.C.I. Act, 1978
levy of fees 10
(1) The Council may for the purpose of performing its functions under this Act, levy such fees, at such rates and in such manner as may be prescribed, from registered newspapers and news agencies and different rates may be prescribed for different newspapers having regard to their circulation and other matters.
(2) Any fees payable to the Council under Sub-Section (1) may be recovered as an arrears of land revenue.

extract of the section 10(2) of the press council rules, 1979.

levy of fees 10

3. The Council shall send during the course of every financial year notices of demand under Registered A. D. Cover to registered newspapers and news agencies calling for the remittance to it of the fees as indicated in sub-rule (1) and such registered newspapers and news agencies shall remit the amount of fees so demanded within thirty days of the receipt of such notices by means of Demand Draft payable to the Council.