Phenomenal growth of print media sector has mandated changes in print media policy: Naidu

New Delhi [India], Dec. 22 (ANI): Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said the phenomenal growth of print media sector has mandated changes in print media policy and guidelines in the past years, adding that the annual report provides broad analysis of the general trend of Indian Press based on claimed circulations. "The sustainable growth trajectory of the government is depicted in the new calendar. The Indian print industry continues its growth story at a steady rate of 5.13 percent over the previous year and a total of 5,423 new publications has been registered during the year 2015-16," Naidu said while releasing the government calendar 2017 in New Delhi with the theme of Mera Desh Badal Raha Hai, Aage Badh Raha Hai. He also released the annual report on Print Media - Press in India 2015-16. He said the structure of the Indian print industry continues to be a mixture of both national and regional players. He informed that the largest circulated Daily is Ananda Bazar Patrika in Bengali, the largest circulated multi-edition daily is Dainik Bhaskar in Hindi and the largest circulated Periodical is The Sunday Times of India in English. On the occasion, the Minister also launched google map toilet locator to help people find access clean public restrooms. Google toilet locator is a pioneering attempt at providing access to a toilet facility every 500 meters in cities. "As on date, 504 cities and towns which also includes four million-plus cities have achieved Open Defecation Free, ODF status and a total of 739 cities and towns have committed to achieve the status by March next year," he added. He said Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Sikkim have declared all cities and towns Open Defecation Free and Kerala is set to do so by March next year. The Minister also felicitated Urban Local Bodies on achieving ODF status. Naidu said Good Governance Day will be observed on December 25 the birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Col. Rajyawardhan Rathore was also present on the occasion. (ANI)