Govt directed to pay advt bills to newspapers

Dimapur, February 6: The Press Council of India (PCI) has directed the Government departments in the Central and State Governments and Union Territories as well as statutory authorities do make prompt payments for the Government advertisement/notices in various newspapers/journals.

"The Government/statutory authority must behave as role model for the citizens and must make prompt payments for goods/services they receive," said a letter addressed to all the Chief Secretaries of all State Government/Union Territories by Justice Markandey Katiju.

Further the letter directed all Government Departments in Central/State Government and Union Territories as well as statutory authorities to make the payments within one month of the publication of the Government advertisement/notice to the management of the newspaper/journal, failing which they will have to pay the same with interest thereon @12% per annum, from the date of payment.

The letter cautioned that non-compliance of the directive would be taken very seriously.

(Page News Service)