I

New Delhi, Jun 14 (UNI) The Parliamentary Standing Committee attached to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has asked it to ensure that the flow of funds to small and medium newspapers was not delayed.

The Committee wanted the Ministry to take up with client Ministries to DAVP the matter of delay in release of funds which is eventually passed on to the newspapers.

''longer blockage of funds hampers the functioning of the newspapers,'' it said at its meeting held here.

The committee also suggested that a deadline be fixed for release of advertisements by DAVP so that the newspapers in different parts of the country were able to carry those ads.

Chairing the meeting, Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs P R Dasmunsi said a comprehensive review of policies related to the Publications Division, RNI and DAVP had been carried out in the recent past to smoothen operations and facilitate the media being catered to by them.

Mr Dasmunsi said the systems had been made more transparent and user friendly through the recent initiatives.

He called upon the members to come out with further suggestions on the issues so that the Ministry can consider any further policy reviews.

DAVP's new Advertisement Policy for print media has come out with measures to raise the share of small and medium newspapers in the advertising revenue routed through DAVP. Policies for Empanelment of Audio-Video Producers and for Empanelment of Electronic Media Channels had also been reviewed for better efficacy as well as facility for the electronic media, he said.

Some of the members suggested that Publications Division should consider coming up with periodical (s) solely aimed at youth and younger generation.

UNI