Registered newspapers can now pay levy to the Press Council of India (PCI) only through online mode, the Council said today.
Registered newspapers and news agencies pay levy to the PCI to support its functioning under the PCI Act at rates decided by the central government, it added.
"It is hereby informed to all publishers that the levy fee shall henceforth be collected in Allahabad Bank Account only...in online mode, the Council said in a release.
It said every newspaper has been allotted a permanent unique ID for making the payment. Off-line levy collection through State Bank of India is being discontinued with immediate effect, it added.
A PCI official said the levy ranges from Rs 2,000 to Rs 25,000 per year, depending on the circulation of a newspaper or periodical under different categories. Newspaper or periodical below circulation of 25,000 is exempted from the levy.
The levy ranges from Rs 10,000 to Rs Rs 25,000 in the case on news agencies.
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