MRTPC approves newspaper gift schemes

The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission has overruled a complaint from Xavier Paul, editor of the publication Noothanam, against the insurance scheme offered to subscribers by three Malayalam publications, Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhumi and Kerala Kaumudi. Noothanam is a relatively new Malayalam publication.

The MRTPC has ruled that the scheme was not prejudicial to the interests of subscribers and has allowed the publications to continue with it. It has held that the case against the publications is non-maintainable, since the mere offer of an insurance cover to subscribers of the publications, free of charge, does not constitute an unfair trade practice.

The publications in question have entered into an agreement with the New India Assurance company for providing insurance cover to subscribers under the Janata Personal Accident Scheme. The main feature of the scheme is that the application forms for registration under the insurance scheme can be obtained only if a person subscribes to one of these publications for a period of at least one year. The scheme lasts for one year and can be renewed every year.

According to a report the newspapers are paying a premium of Rs 3 per subscriber. The report says that though additional amounts of money do not have to be paid by subscribers for availing of the scheme, they have to remain subscribers for the duration for which the scheme is in force.