सरकारी विज्ञापनों-नोटिसों के भुगतान में देरी पर काटजू ने लिखा बड़े अफसरों को पत्र

प्रेस काउंसिल आफ इंडिया के अध्यक्ष और जाने-माने न्यायाधीश मार्कंडेय काटजू के बारे में फिलहाल मीडिया मालिक और कई संपादक लोग यही भ्रम फैलाने में लगे हैं कि ये आदमी मीडिया के खिलाफ है. लेकिन मार्कंडेय काटजू अपनी आलोचनाओं की परवाह किए बिना वही कर रहे हैं, जो उन्हें करना चाहिए. जहां उन्हें लगता है कि आलोचना करनी चाहिए तो वे आलोचना करने से नहीं हिचकते. जहां उन्हें लगता है कि कंधे से कंधा मिलाकर लड़ाई लड़नी चाहिए तो इससे भी पीछे नहीं हट रही.

इसी क्रम में उन्होंने एक पहल की है. उन्होंने अखबार मालिकों की एक बड़ी समस्या के लिए आवाज उठाई है. यह समस्या है सरकारी विज्ञापनों और नोटिसों के अखबारों-जरनलों आदि में प्रकाशन के बाद इसके भुगतान में भयंकर देरी की. इस समस्या की तरफ कई अखबारों, संगठनों ने काटजू का ध्यान दिलाया. समस्या को जेनुइन मानते हुए काटजू ने फौरन केंद्र सरकार के कैबिनेट सेक्रेट्री और सभी राज्यों के चीफ सेक्रेटरीज को एक आधिकारिक पत्र लिख भेजा है. प्रेस काउंसिल आफ इंडिया के चेयरमैन काटजू की तरफ से लिखा गया पूरा पत्र इस प्रकार है–

URGENT:- FOR PERSONNEL ATTENTION

No.Ch./2/PCI/2011-12

November 24, 2011,

To : 1) The Cabinet Secretary, Government of India, New Delhi.
2) The Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, New Delhi.
3) The Chief Secretaries of all State Governments/ Union Territories in India.

Re: Prompt payment to newspapers/journals for government Advertisements/notices.

Sir, It has come to my knowledge that very often the government departments in the Central and the State Governments and Union Territories , as well as statutory authorities (both Central & State) do not make prompt payment for the government advertisements/notices in various newspapers/journals, and these newspapers/journals are made to run from pillar to post for getting such payments.  This often takes several years before the payment is made, if at all.  For example, a case came before the Committee of the Press Council recently, where the Directorate of Advertising & Visual Publicity (DAVP) had not till date made payment for its advertisement in a newspaper published in 1997.

2. In my opinion, this is most improper and unfair.  The government/statutory authority must behave as a role model for the citizens and must make prompt payments for goods/services they receive.  If the management of a newspaper/journal receives prompt payment, they can invest it elsewhere and keep the money in circulation.  If that is not done, the money is blocked.

3. It must be remembered that money doubles every seven years due to interest.  Hence, if say,  Rs.100/- had to be paid by the government in the year 1997, that would become Rs.200/- in the year 2004, and Rs.400/- in the year 2011.  If that amount of Rs.100/- had been paid in the year 1997, the same would have been invested somewhere and interest earned thereon.  On the other hand, if the amount of Rs.100/- was not paid in the year 1997 when the advertisement/notice was published, and it is offered to be paid only in the year 2011, that means, that the government department/statutory authority has in fact pocketed Rs.300/-  This is most improper.  The government department/statutory authority must make prompt payment, so that the business of the newspaper/journal can run smoothly.  Hence, I direct all Government Departments in Central/State Governments and the Union Territories, as well as statutory authorities to make such 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.

4. It may be mentioned that interest is not a penalty or punishment at all.  It is the normal accretion on capital.  Hence for delayed payment, interest has also to be paid.

5. Non-compliance of this directive will be taken very seriously by me, and the person/authority concerned will have to face the consequences.

Yours faithfully,
(Markandey Katju)
Chairman
Press Council of India

Copy forwarded to : –

1. DAVP, Government of India .
2. The Directors of all State Information Departments of all State Governments/Union Territories
3. Indian Newspaper Society
4. A.I.S.M.N.F
5. I.F.S.M.N.
6. A.I.S.M.N.A.
7. Editors Guild of India
8. A.I.N.E.C.
9. H.S.P.S.
10. P.T.I.
11. U.N.I.
12. All major newspapers