DHAKA: Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka district proposed of holding power to cancel the declaration of newspapers on the ground of publishing reports against national and religious sentiments.

He also proposed to modernize the law of 1973 regarding printing, presses and publication.

The proposals and recommendations sent to the cabinet by deputy commissioners across the country have been published as books.

According to the proposal sent by Dhaka Deputy Commissioner, the act on publication has no description regarding family members’ publication right without having knowledge on journalism after the publisher’s death

The proposal says, the government declaration fee for newspaper publication is Tk 4, which is very low considering the current economic situation and it is changeable.

It also says there is no income tax provision in the act.

The DC recommends that the declaration cancellation power can be bestowed to district magistrates on the ground of publishing reports against national and religious sentiments.

Regarding the death of publisher, the DC recommends for three years experience for new publishers.

About the renewal fees of the declaration, his proposal suggests Tk 50,000 for dailies, Tk 25 for weeklies and TK 20,000 for other publications.

Besides, the amount of income tax is suggested to Tk 300,000.

BDST: 1555 HRS, JUL 05, 2014