This news comes as a big relief to the Indian language periodicals. Press Trust of India has now decided to offer exclusive services to periodicals at a much lower rate.
A letter sent out from Business Development Manager, Samir Juneja, to Chairman, Small and Medium Newspapers–INS, Sunil Dang, said that the news agency was reducing the rates for the Bhasha and Photo services.
"An Indian language periodical can now avail our Bhasha and Photo services at a package rate of Rs 7,960 per month or only Bhasha service at Rs 1,900 per month, which is 50 per cent cheaper than earlier rates," the letter stated.
Speaking to exchange4media, Juneja said, "We found that periodicals have a different need and keeping this in mind, we have made special packages for them, wherein they can access news for last 30 days and also avail photo service for last seven days. We have come out with these special rates keeping in mind the needs of Indian language periodicals."
Welcoming this initiative, R K Guptan, Deputy Secretary, INS, said, "The rates have come down drastically with this initiative and would really benefit the Indian language periodicals." Guptan added that INS raised the concern to PTI following a meeting that was held on January 5, 2005 by the INS members.
Juneja informed that the English news from PTI would also be available to periodicals at a revised rate of Rs 7,900 from the earlier Rs 18,300 per month. The news agency is also launching new services.
"We are launching a service in collaboration with WorldSpace satellite radio, which facilitates clients to get text services through equipment bought from WorldSpace satellite radio at rates fixed by PTI," he said. The equipment can be bought for as low as Rs 10,000. Also, another software is launched where the clients can get specific stories catering to specific region at a rate between Rs 8,000 and Rs 9,000.
