Regarding provision of grace period for posting of Registered Newspapers in view of disruption caused by second wave of COVID-19 and subsequent lockdown/ COVID-curfews in various States.

No. 22-1/2019-PO 

Government of India 

Ministry of Communications 

Department of Posts

(PO Division)

 

Dak Bhawan, 

Sansad Marg 

New Delhi-110001 Dated: 25^th May, 2021

 

To

 

All CPMSG/All PMsG

CGM, BD Dte/ Parcel Dte./PLI Dte/ CEPT Director, RAKNPA/ Directors, All PTCS All GMS (Finance)/ DAPS

 

Subject: Regarding provision of grace period for posting of Registered Newspapers in view of disruption caused by second wave of COVID-19 and subsequent lockdown/ COVID-curfews in various States.

 

This is in continuation with the letter of even no. dated 21^st September, 2020 regarding provision of grace period for posting of Registered Newspapers in view of disruption caused by COVID-19 and subsequent lockdown.

 

2. The similar situation has arisen in some states due to sudden outbreak of second wave of COVID-19 and subsequent lockdown/ COVID-curfews in various states. Like various other services in the country, postal services have also been affected again from it. The posting of Registered Newspapers has been affected adversely after the lockdown imposed by the State Government/Local Authorities in view of outbreak of second wave of COVID-19. This issue has also been raised by the Circles and publishers of Registered Newspapers across the country.

 

3. In view of the above, the publications may either have published/ printed their Newspaper/ Magazine in time but could not post the same on the specified dates of posting or publisher could not publish/ print its newspaper/ magazine according to its normal schedule, and may issue a separate/combined edition on a later date or skip the unprinted editions.

 

4. Since the lockdown has been imposed in states at different times, therefore, keeping in view the above scenarios, Department has again decided to provide one time relaxation to the publishers as was given earlier in the Circles where the lockdown has been imposed and the respective Circles are directed to adhere to the following guidelines:

           All the publishers may be provided a grace period with respect to their editions scheduled to be published for 5 months i.e. March, April, May, June, July, 2021 with a permission of posting the sam up to August, 2021. The publishers/ proprietors/ managers will be allowed to publish their newspaper/ magazines by combining multiple editions, skipping some editions, etc. as per their convenience upto August, 2021. This arrangement will enable the publishers to address all the issues as mentioned in para 4 above.

          All the publishers may be allowed to post thei issues at any date upto August, 2021 in coordination with the office of posting. There is no need to take approval of the concerned PMG for the same.

      Circles, Regions and Divisions may also change Office of Posting keeping in view availability of staff and arrangement of safety precautions including sanitization like fumigation etc.his will be a temporary arrangement and be in force in respect of posting/ publishing of Registered Newspapers for the 5 months i.e. March, April, May, June and July, 2021 only, and Registered Newspapers to be printed/ published for the above five months may be posted upto August, 2021.

 5.Theseinstructions should be brought to the notice of all Managers/ Publishers/ Proprietors of Registered Newspapers as well as staff of booking as well as delivery Post Offices in the country immediately. 

This issues with the approval of the competent authority.

Copy  to:

Sr. PPS to Secretary (Posts)/DG Postal Services All Members (PSB)/ AS&FA/ Addl. DG (APS) All GM (Finance)/ DAPS GM, CEPT Mysuru for uploading the same on India Post website.