Newspaper industry in crisis

New Delhi, Mar 20: Rajya Sabha member K Rama Mohana Rao of TDP today demanded for measures to save the newspaper industry from the crisis following high price of newsprint.

''Almost 50 per cent of the newsprint is exported and that too at high prices,'' Mr Rao said in his Special Mention in the Rajya Sabha.

He said foreign firms have set up a cartel and have jacked up prices which has had a cascading effect on the country's newspaper industry.

Even the domestic newspaper mill owners, taking advantage of the situation, have increased their rates, he added.

Following are the other Special Mentions admitted in the Upper House.

Congress member Vijay J Darda expressed concern over debt and malnutrition in the Vidarbha region, leading to suicides by farmers.

RJD member, Mangani Lal Mandal demanded implementation of reservation policy in PGIMS, Chandigarh.

BJP member Kripal Parmar pointed out to obscene dances in a restaurant in Ashoka Hotel in Delhi and demanded for an end to it.

Motilal Vora requested for the change in name of the State of Uttaranchal to Uttarakhand.

Congress member Shantaram LAxaman Naik demanded for CGHS facilities in Goa state.

Amar Singh of SP pointed out to the problems faced by traders due to VAT.

BJP's Kalraj Mishra demanded action against agents cheating Indians employed abroad.

BJP member Laxminarayan Sharma demanded for early clearance of pending proposals under National River Conservation Scheme of Madhya Pradesh.

Congress member Prema Cariappa requested for more old age homes in Karnataka.

SP member Ram Narayan Sahu expressed concern over scarcity of potable water in the country.

Congress member Giresh Kumar Sanghi demanded for measures to save the newspaper industry from crisis with rise in prices of newsprint.

He said 50 per cent of newsprint is being exported.

N P Durga, TDP, pointed out to the paucity of cooking gas in the country.

UNI