Govt mulls amending archaic law on publications, printing presses

New Delhi: Government is mulling an amendment to the archaic Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, that deals with registration of printing presses and newspapers as over 90,000 journals, papers, printing presses listed under it are defunct or suspected to be involved in fraudulent activity.

The Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, pertains to regulation of printing presses and newspapers and their registration. An estimated 95,000 publications, newspapers, periodicals, printing presses from across the country have been registered since this law was passed during the British rule. This includes publications in different languages. The definition of book as per this Act includes those printed in any language and "every sheet of music, map, chart or plan".

Many of these printing presses and publications are no longer in existence but continue to be registered under the Act. The registered name is blocked and cannot be used by those starting new ventures.

Some of the printing presses and publications listed under the Act may be decades old or even belong to the pre-Independence era but have not been in use. Those registered in the last few decades and not filing returns or engaging in surreptitious activities are a bigger cause for concern, according to government sources.

"Even newspapers, printing presses and journals which have not been active for over a year will face deregistration under the amended law," a senior government official from the ministry of Information and Broadcasting said.