I&B Ministry
MIB takes note of banned Zakir Naik content on Kashmir TV channels
MUMBAI: Despite a ban on Peace TV, the hate preacher Zakir Naik’s speeches reportedly continued to be telecast on channels in Jammu and Kashmir, and the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has taken note of a news report in this regard. Naik was, earlier this year, declared a proclaimed offender and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) undertook a process to attach his assets.
The ministry, the Times of India reported, is expected to write to Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary to take suitable action in the case. Also, the MIB may, reportedly, issue show-cause notices to cable operators in the state, who are broadcasting the controversial speeches.
Minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh said that they would convey to the related government departments and tell them to verify the development and a stand accordingly.
NIA chargesheet against Naik has revealed that his organisation had connections with terror groups. He has been accused of spreading hatred through his provocative speeches, funding terrorists and laundering billions of rupees over the years. The NIA also claimed that Naik had engaged in “anti-India activities”. It was not just his hate speeches, but NIA also accused his organisation of providing “financial and tactical” aid to terror suspects.
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I&B Ministry
Press Sewa Portal digitises 1.5 lakh records, streamlines periodical registrations: MIB
Online system spans 780 districts; Rs 5.6 crore penalties, 88,315 titles cancelled
NEW DELHI: India’s print media registry has quietly moved from dusty files to digital dashboards. The government has digitised more than 1.5 lakh historical records of newspapers and periodicals and shifted registrations fully online through the Press Sewa Portal.
Introduced under the Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Act, 2023, the portal now handles all applications for registering periodicals, replacing the earlier paper-heavy system created under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, which has since been repealed.
The digital shift brings a wide range of services onto a single platform. Publishers can now register new periodicals, revise registrations, transfer ownership, file annual statements, pay penalties online and apply for circulation verification without navigating government offices.
As part of the rollout, specified authorities in 780 districts across India have been onboarded onto the platform. Since 1 March 2024, the portal has processed 11,081 applications and issued certificates across different categories.
The transition has also brought stronger compliance. According to government data, Rs 5.63 crore in penalties has been collected through the portal so far. States such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh account for some of the largest penalty collections.
At the same time, the authorities have carried out a major clean-up of inactive or non-compliant publications. A total of 88,315 periodicals have been cancelled nationwide, with Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi among the states reporting the highest number of cancellations.
The government says the system will continue to evolve based on feedback from users. The Press Registrar General of India (PRGI) regularly reviews suggestions to improve services and make compliance easier for publishers.
The full list of registered newspapers and periodicals is available on the PRGI website under the Registered Titles section.
The information was shared in a written reply in the Lok Sabha by minister of state for information and broadcasting and parliamentary affairs L Murugan, responding to a question from Damodar Agrawal.
