Govt to launch four online portals including Press Sewa Portal

Govt to launch four online portals including Press Sewa Portal

Anurag Singh Thakur, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting today launched four portals related to the media industry that aim to transform the media landscape in the country. These portals are aimed at changing the ease of doing business for the media industry, enhance efficiency and transparency in government communication, provide seamless access to  Government data like videos and create a collective database of Local Cable Operators, thus allowing the Government to initiate regulations  in the cable television sector if needed. 

In the proposed regulations outlined in the recently announced Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has put forth the idea of establishing a "Press Sewa Portal."  The launch of  Press Sewa Portal is a significant leap in the modernization of newspaper registration processes. Developed under the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 (PRP Act, 2023) by the Press Registrar General of India (PRGI, formerly known as RNI), this portal aims to streamline and automate the procedures associated with newspaper registration and related activities.

Unlike the outdated colonial-era PRB Act, 1867, the Press Sewa Portal, aligned with the PRP Act 2023, seeks to simplify the entire registration process. This portal is also designed to facilitate communication between the Press Registrar General of India (previously known as the registrar of newspapers of India (RNI) or RNI Registration under the existing act) and the proprietors, publishers, and printing presses of periodicals. As per the draft rules, all applications for the certificate of registration must be submitted through the Press Sewa Portal.

Additionally, it has been disclosed that certain functionalities of the Press Sewa Portal, such as intimation by printers and the submission of applications for title verification or registration, along with associated modules, are set to become operational. District Magistrates are empowered to manage applications received from publishers through a centralized dashboard, facilitating streamlined communication and coordination. Furthermore, it has been revealed that other features of the Press Sewa Portal, such as the processing of applications, are anticipated to be launched during the second phase in April. The forthcoming website of the RNI will be rebranded as the website of PRG in accordance with the new act.

It is important to note that the PRP Act has not yet been enacted by the MIB, and the rules pertaining to it have not been officially notified. However, it is anticipated that both the Act and its corresponding rules will come into effect in March.

Some notable features of the Press Sewa Portal include 

• Online Application Submission
• Real-time Application Tracking
• Dedicated DM Module
• New Website Integration
• Online Registration Services
• Paperless Processes
• Direct Payment Gateway
• QR Code-based Digital Certificates
• Press Keeper/Owner Module and Efficient Grievance Resolution

 

In summary, the Press Sewa Portal brings a new era of efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in newspaper registration processes. By embracing digitalization and automation, it promises to revolutionize the way publishers interact with regulatory authorities, ultimately benefiting the entire ecosystem of the press industry in India.

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