The Ministry of Culture has notified the Delivery of Books and Newspapers (Public Libraries) Amendment Rules, 2026 under Section 8 of the Delivery of Books and Newspapers (Public Libraries) Act, 1954. The amendment substitutes Rule 4 of the 1955 Rules to establish a formal notice and adjudication procedure for contraventions by publishers.
Under the substituted Rule 4, the Head of the Library is designated as the adjudicating officer. Where a contravention is identified, a notice must specify the nature of the contravention, provisions allegedly violated and measures required for rectification. The publisher must be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard and may appear personally or through an authorised representative and submit written representations and relevant documents. If the publisher fails to rectify the contravention or appear, the adjudicating officer may conduct an inquiry and pass a reasoned written order imposing the applicable penalty. The order is also to be communicated to the National Agency for International Standard Book Number.
A new Rule 4A establishes an appellate mechanism, with the Secretary, Ministry of Culture designated as the appellate authority. An appeal may be filed within 30 days of receipt of the adjudication order, with delayed appeals permissible where sufficient cause is shown. The appellate authority must provide an opportunity of hearing and issue a reasoned written order. The Rules came into force from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
[G.S.R. 848(E)]
