Withdraw 10% Customs Duty on Newsprint: Indian Newspaper Society

From a Correspondent

New Delhi: The executive committee of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) in its emergency meeting held on Friday has appealed to the government of India to withdraw the 10 percent customs duty imposed on newsprint, the uncoated paper used for printing of newspapers and lightweight coated papers for magazines.

In a statement INS secretary-general, Mary Paul said that the total consumption of newsprint in India is 2.5 mn tons and the indigenous mills have a capacity of 1.0 mn tons only. “It appears that the Indian newsprint manufacturers have misrepresented to the government that they are in a position to meet the entire requirements,” said Paul.

Last year, there was a severe shortage of newsprint worldwide but Indian industry was able to export only 12,726 tons of newsprint which shows that there was no idle capacity available in India and the newsprint capacity showcased by the local manufacturers to the government is fallacious.

“Publishers of newspapers and magazines are already reeling under severe financial pressure due to many factors like lower advertisement revenue, higher costs, and digital onslaught from technological giants. Small and medium newspapers will go into deeper losses and many may be forced to shut down due to the imposition,” said Paul.

Also Read: Indian Newspaper Society (INS) Plea On Customs Duty For Newsprint