On February 05, 2021, the Press Council (Procedure for Notification of Associations of Persons) Rules, 2021 have come into effect.
The Rules provides for Associations of persons to be notified i.e. the Central Government in the case of first Council and the retiring Chairman of the previous Council in the case of any subsequent Council shall, for the purpose of notifying associations of persons invite filing of claims from eligible associations of persons by giving wide publicity in atleast two widely circulated national daily newspapers.
The Rules further provide regarding the eligibility for association of persons that that an association of persons must have been registered under the relevant laws for the time being in force for atleast six years prior to last date of filing of the claims and must be conducting its business continuously thereafter, and shall submit documents in proof thereof, duly certified by the competent authority.
As per the Rules, the claims filed by associations of persons under rule 3 shall be scrutinized by a Scrutiny Committee consisting of three persons to be nominated by the Chairman from amongst members of the Council who are not associated in any manner with any of such claimant associations and shall submit its report to the Council.
