(a) whether the Indian newspaper industry is reeling under a sharp hike in price of newsprint and
increased operating cost due to high inflation in recent months as reported in the Mint dated 1
September,2008;
(b) if so,the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has any proposal to increase the print advertisement rates paid by the
Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP;
(d) if so,the details thereof; and
(e) the time by which it is likely to be implemented ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AND INFORMATION & BROADCASTING (SHRI ANAND SHARMA)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b): Monthly Average Newsprint Price per Metric Ton of preceding six months as on April,2005
and as on September, 2008 were Rs.26,500 and Rs.33,108 respectively.The average All India Consumer
Price Index as on April,2005 and on July, 2008 (with Base 1982 = 100) were 529 and 662
respectively.
(c), (d) & (e): The Government has already considered the demand of the Newspaper Industry and
increased the print advertisement rates by 24% for all categories of newspapers/periodicals with
effect from 1st September,2008.