LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT

PARLIAMENT LIBRARY AND REFERENCE, RESEARCH, DOCUMENTATION

AND INFORMATION SERVICE (LARRDIS)

MEMBERS’ REFERENCE SERVICE

REFERENCE NOTE .
No. 22/ RN/ Ref./August/ 2013
For the use of Members of Parliament Not for Publication

Paid News

.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The reference material is for personal use of the Members in the discharge of their Parliamentary duties, and is not for publication.
This Service is not to be quoted as the source of the information as it is based on the sources indicated at the end/in the text. This
Service does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy or veracity of the information or views contained in the note/collection.
 Paid News

INTRODUCTION

Media, which is considered as the fourth pillar of democracy, not only acts as
a repository of public trust but also plays a significant role in shaping the human
mind. All forms of programmes/articles have their significance in doing so,
particularly “News‟ which aims at providing correct and timely information to the
people.

“News‟, according to the Press Council of India (PCI), is meant to be factual,

neutral, fair and objective, whereas information and opinion from “Advertisements”
are paid for, by corporate entities, Governments, organisations or individuals.
However, off late a trend of presenting the paid information as news content has
spread at remarkable pace in some sections of the Media. There have been a
number of media reports which state that sections of the electronic and print
media have received monetary considerations for publishing or broadcasting in
favour of particular individuals or organisations or corporate entities, what is
essentially “advertisement‟ disguised as “news‟ and this has been commonly
referred to as the “Paid News Syndrome‟.

The trend of presenting the advertising content, that is paid for, as “News‟ is
a serious and damaging fraud on the innocent audiences/readers/viewers/public. It
not only undermines/threatens the democratic process but also affects
financial/stock/real estate market, health and industry1.

Genesis
“Paid News‟ is not a recent phenomenon. In fact the phenomenon is old,
complex and deep rooted in the system. Regarding genesis of “Paid News‟, quoting

1
Issues related to Paid News, 47th Report of Standing Committee on Information Technology, 15th Lok Sabha,
May 2013, New Delhi.
 2

the Memorandum of Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ), the

Press Council of India in its Sub-Committee Report on “Paid News‟ during General
Election, 2009 had stated that the syndrome, during the general elections of 2004,
small and local newspapers in towns and district headquarters in some parts of
Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat started this practice in an organised way.

Forms, Facets and Manifestations of Paid News

“Paid News‟ has acquired different forms over last six decades from
accepting gifts on various occasions like foreign and domestic sponsored travels,
besides benefits and payment of money. In addition, few stakeholders have cited
examples of award ceremonies being sponsored by some media houses wherein
industrialists/professionals/personalities, who are the sponsors/regular advertisers
for their media houses, are awarded. This is a regular news phenomenon.

Distinction between „News‟ and „Advertisements‟

In the recent years in India, there is no clear distinction between “News‟

and “Advertisements‟. When the advertisements are camouflaged as news or when
news is shown/published by selling editorial space it becomes very difficult for the
viewer/reader to distinguish between news and advertorials/advertisements. It
becomes hard to distinguish whether a particular programme or review is a
legitimate one or is it paid for.

Need for defining Paid News

There are challenges in defining and determining what constitutes or

qualifies as „paid news‟. The increasing trend of presenting advertisements in the
garb of news has posed a need for having a comprehensive definition for “Paid
News‟ so that “News‟ and “Advertisements‟ can be clearly demarcated2. There is a

2
Ibid
 3

urgent need to formulate a comprehensive legal definition of „paid news‟ in

consultation with stakeholders.

COMPLEXITIES INVOLVED IN ESTABLISHING „PAID NEWS‟

The issue of „Paid News‟ is complex as it may be a treaty between two

private parties with mutual consent or could be a clandestine financial transaction
which is difficult to establish. Because of the clandestine financial transactions
involved in „Paid News‟ it becomes extremely difficult to establish the violation per
se, and therefore it becomes difficult to prove the menace particularly in case of
visual media. Because of the complexities involved, „circumstantial evidence‟ forms
the basis of consideration for proving this.

CAUSES OF „PAID NEWS‟

“Paid News‟ is a natural outcome of the convergence of the editorial,

advertising, public relations (PR) and lobbying industries (the last officially non-
existent in India). This “industry‟ has become so organised that large PR firms,
professional designers and advertising agencies handles contracts worth many
crore rupees – not just to position advertisements but to create “news‟.
Propaganda put out as “news‟ was customised by these image-creation agencies to
appear as “exclusive‟ news articles in the publications these appeared in3.

These are possible causes which have led to the rise of “Paid News‟. Some
of the important ones have been dealt with in the succeeding paragraphs:

 Editorial Section v/s Management/Owners of Media Houses

„Paid News‟ is not only the outcome of the convergence of the editorial,
advertising, public relations (PR), lobbying group and the „industry‟ but is also due
to the decline in independence of the journalists/reporters. The emergence of

3
Ibid
 4

contract system of employment is the primary cause for erosion of the

independence of journalists/reporters as the system has the effect of reducing their
status to mere marketing agents.

According to the Press Council of India (PCI), there should be a clear

distinction between the management and editorial staff in media companies and
that the independence of the editor should be maintained and safeguarded.

 Working conditions and the issue of wage of Media Personnel

Another issue that has plagued the working conditions of
Journalists/Reporters, is that of wage/salary of the media personnel. Most of the
media organisations are not implementing the recommendation of the Wage Board
and around 80 per cent of the Journalists are getting very less wage.
Most of the journalists/reporters are working on contract basis and are given
commission on bringing advertisements and in the process they have started
working as market representatives.

 Private Treaties
‟Private Treaty‟ is an agreement between the media company and another
non-media company in which the latter transfers certain shares of the company to
the former in-lieu of Advertisements, space and favourable coverage. “Private
Treaties‟ are another form of paid news and they militate against the rights of
people to be informed accurately and truthfully.

 Cross Media Holdings/Ownership

There is a lack of restriction on ownership across media segments (print, TV
or internet) or between content and distribution which could give rise to
monopolistic practices. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (currently
examining the issue) is urged to present its recommendations and the Ministry of
Information & Broadcasting would be taking conclusive action on those
recommendations.
 5

IMPLICATIONS OF PAID NEWS ON ELECTORAL PROCESS

It would be incorrect to say that 'Paid News' is purely an election time

phenomenon. However, its impact on general public comes in a big way during
elections.

The election-time “Paid News‟ has three dimensions viz. (i) the reader or the
viewer does not get a correct picture of the personality or performance of the
candidate in whose favour or against he decides to cast his vote; (ii) contesting
candidates perhaps do not show it in their election expense account thereby
violating the Conduct of Election Rules; and (iii) those newspapers and television
channels which received money in cash but did not disclose it in their official
statements or accounts violate the Companies Act 1956 as well as the Income Tax
act 1961.

“Paid News‟, in the General and Assembly Elections, have indicated as to

how democratic process is being affected by this syndrome. However, the Election
Commission‟s historic verdict in October, 2011, disqualifying Uttar Pradesh‟s then
sitting MLA, Smt. Umlesh Yadav from contesting again for three years under
Section 10A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, for suppressing
expenditure in her election accounts, has set a trend by making her not only the
first political victim of the paid news phenomenon but also the first sitting legislator
to be disqualified for excessive expenditure4.

The Election Commission has initiated measures to check incidents of

election time paid news. The Commission has issued instructions to Chief Electoral
Officers of all the States to constitute District level and State level Media
Certification and Monitoring Committees (MCMC) for scrutiny of paid news. These
Committees have been instructed to do vigorous scrutiny of electronic media, print
media and other modes of mass communication in order to locate political
advertisements in the garb of news coverage appearing during the election period.
In addition, the Commission has also constituted a Committee at its own level to

4
Ibid
 6

examine references from State level MCMCs and to support policy formulation for
issues related to paid news and those related to usage of electronic and print
media for campaigning by parties and candidates.

The Election Commission of India has forwarded a proposal for amendment in

the Representation of People Act, 1951 and Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 to
include publishing and abetting of publishing paid news for furthering the prospects
of election of any candidate or prejudicially affecting the prospects of election of
any candidate as an electoral offence with exemplary punishment. The issue of
paid news has been included in the agenda for all party meeting on issues relating
to electoral reforms. Besides, the issue of electoral reforms in its entirety has been
referred to the Law Commission of India for consideration and to suggest
5
comprehensive measures for changes in the law .

EXISTING MECHANISM

There are various Guidelines/ Codes/ Norms/ Acts/ Organizations/

Professional bodies/ Legislations in existence to check the “Paid News‟. Some of
these include Working Journalists Act, News Broadcasters Association Code, Press
Council of India Act and its Norms of Journalistic Conduct, Indian Broadcasters
Foundation Guidelines, Mint Code of Journalistic Conduct, Cable Television
Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, Code
for Commercial Advertising on Doordarshan, etc.
The exiting regulatory set-up dealing with paid news are inadequate. The
voluntary self-regulatory bodies like the News Broadcasting Standards Authority
and Broadcasting Content Complaints Council are not very effective. The punitive
powers of statutory regulators like the PCI and Electronic Media Monitoring Centre
(EMMC) found to be inadequate. There is a conflict of interest inherent with
appointment of media-owners as members of the PCI or self-regulatory bodies.
There is urgent need for a single regulatory body for both print and
electronic media or enhancing punitive powers of the PCI and setting-up a similar
statutory body for the electronic media.

5
Lok Sabha Starred Question No 216 dated 12.03.2013
 7

The case of M/s Jindal Steel Power Limited and M/s Zee Ltd – highlighting
loophole in the existing guidelines/code/ mechanism

The case of M/s Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) v/s M/s Zee News
wherein M/s JSPL had alleged that M/s Zee News has aired considerable number of
programmes containing wrong, manipulated, untrue and per-se defamatory contents
against JSPL in violation of the provisions of Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards
of the News Broadcasters Association and Rules framed under the Cable Television
Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.
The matter has been referred to the Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) to look
into the violation of Programmes and Advertising codes by private satellite TV
networks.

International Practices
No regulatory body viz. PCI/NBA, etc, has conducted any study to evaluate the
mechanism adopted by other countries to tackle the menace of „Paid News‟.
The Government should take note of the Justice Leveson Report on the press
and existing regulatory structure in the UK, and consider the recommendations of the
report and their implementation while dealing with the issue.

MEASURES TO TACKLE THE MENACE OF “PAID NEWS”

With regard to regulating the menace of “Paid News‟, some

experts/stakeholders have advocated for State involvement whereas others have
recommended for self-regulation and some other have suggested for multi-tier
regulation including Ombudsman and self regulation as first tier of regulation and a
body/authority/organisation with legal/statutory backing or limited external
regulation at second tier. The various remedial measures suggested to curb the
menace are as follows:

 Efficacy of Self regulation

Self-regulation is a very good option to check the “paid news” phenomenon.
However, self-regulation only offers partial solutions to the problem since there
 8

would always be offenders who would refuse to abide by voluntary codes of

conduct and ethical norms that are not legally mandated.
The most critical issue for curbing “Paid News‟ is to have a regulatory
mechanism as media resort to taking leverage under freedom of expression.
Besides, majority of individuals/experts/stakeholders/organisations, except News
Broadcasters Association (NBA), have advocated on the need for having an
oversight/regulatory mechanism so as to curb the syndrome.

 Role of Press Council of India (PCI)

Press Council of India (PCI), a statutory autonomous body has been set up
to maintain and improve the standards of newspapers and also to inculcate
principles of self-regulation among the press. The PCI takes cognizance, suo moto
or on complaints of contents in print media which are in violation of the norms and
which also includes cases of paid news. The PCI adjudicates upon such cases under
section 14 of the Press Council Act, 1978. The PCI, in view of the wide
ramifications of the issue of paid news, has also deliberated upon the issue and has
released a Report on Paid News.
Major recommendations made by the Press Council of India, in its „Report on
Paid News‟ are as follows:
 Representation of the People Act, 1951, be amended to make incidence of
paid news a punishable electoral malpractice.
 The Press Council of India must be fully empowered to adjudicate the
complaints of „paid news‟ and give final judgment in the matter.
 Press Council Act be amended to make its recommendations binding and
electronic media be brought under its purview, and
 Press Council of India should be reconstituted to include representatives
from electronic and other media

 Regulation of advertisements by DAVP

The Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) is the nodal

advertising agency for the Central Government under the Ministry of Information
 9

and Broadcasting. Various stakeholders alleged that the Government uses

advertisements to arm-twist media houses for favourable coverage.
There should be a transparent and unbiased policy for distribution of
advertisements by the Central and the State Governments, with provisions for
scrutiny. The DAVP needs to disclose details about disbursements of
advertisements expenditure on its website.

 Complaint Redressal Mechanism/ Ombudsman

There is lack of systemic Complaint Redressal Mechanism/ Ombudsman in all
the media houses for looking into the complaints of „Paid News‟. The PCI opined
that there should be an Ombudsman in all the media houses which can serve as
the first tier of redressal/monitor mechanism. The complaints and redressal
mechanism should be simple, effective and time-bound (See Annexure I & II).

 Penalty
The existing penal provisions have not served as an effective deterrent for
the practice of paid news. There is lack of clarity regarding the jurisdiction of the
designated authority to penalise offenders, given existence of multiple bodies like
the MoIB, PCI, EMMC and ECI. A strict law has to be enacted both for print and
electronic media to penalize all the party involved in paid news menace.

 Transparency regarding Revenue/Assets of Media Houses and Right

to Information Act , 2005

Inspite of having all the existing guidelines and norms, when the media is
asked for disclosure of the source of the income of the newspapers or details of
revenue from advertisements, some of them take an excuse that it is against their
freedom of the Press and therefore they can not disclose it.
Various stakeholders felt the urgency of protecting people‟s right to
information and urged for taking steps to have transparency in media especially
regarding revenue assets of media houses.
 10

 Awareness/Education/Training and need for a national help line to

curb “Paid News‟
Considering the impact of “Paid News‟ and the subtle ways in which the
“Paid News‟ is presented as “News‟ and “Advertorials‟, there is a need for
educating the masses and creating awareness amongst the citizens for identifying
and tackling “Paid News‟.

CONCLUSION

Free and fair elections are as important as a free and independent press, the
issue of „Paid News‟ needs to be addressed holistically. A concerted, comprehensive
and swift action from all stakeholders including the Government is urgently needed on
this crucial matter.
 11

References:

1. Issues related to Paid News, 47th Report of Standing Committee on

Information Technology, 15th Lok Sabha, May 2013, New Delhi.

2. Report on Paid News, Press Council of India, 2010

3. Paid News: How corruption in the Indian media undermines

democracy, Press Council of India, 2010

4. Measures to check Paid News during elections- guidelines

Election Commission of India, New Delhi, 27th August 2012.

5. Lok Sabha Star Question No. 69 dated 27 November 2012.

6. Cash for Coverage: Bribery of Journalists Around the World,

Bill Ristow, Centre for International Media Assistance, Washington,
2010.

7. A composite index by country of variables related to the likelihood of

the existence of cash for news coverage, Dr. Dean Kruckeberg and
Ms. Katerina Tsetsura, Institute for Public Relations, 2003.

8. Paid News, P. Sainath, The Seminar, January 2010, P.102-106.


Complaints received by the Press Council of India on Paid News during 2009-10
S.N. Complainant
1. Kunwar Manvendra Singh,
Member (Lok Sabha),
Aavgarh House,
Dampiar Nagar,
Mathura (U.P.)
2. Shri Rakesh
Srivastava”Nyayik”
M.M.22, Vikas Pradhikaran
Colony, Shivpur,
Varanasi-221 003-(U.P.).
3. Shri Rampravesh Sharma @
Shankar,
J.D.U. Candidate,
36, Jahanabad Lok Sabha,
Bihar
4. Shri Lawan Thakur,
Chairman, RTI Bureau,
88/6, Samkheter,
Mandi (Himachal Pradesh)
5. Shri Ram Iqbal Singh,
Ex-MLA, BJP,
70, Ghosi Lok Sabha
Constituency,
Mau (U.P.).
6. Shri Randeep Thakur,
4, LIG Barra-2,
Kanpur (U.P.).
7-8. Shri Lion S. Gopalan,
43, Periyar Nagar,
Sengunthapuram Post,
Karur-639 002 (Tamil Nadu)
ANNEXURE - I
Respondent Subject Action Taken/Status
The Editor, Publication of favourable news Closed on 26.4.2010 for non-pursuance
Dainik Jagran, item in favour of his rival
Mathura (U.P.) candidate
The Editor, Publication of news in favour of Closed on 31.8.2010 for non-pursuance
Hindustan BSP candidate during the
election by taking money from
him.
The Editor, Publication of news in favour of Closed on 3.6.2010 for non-pursuance
Hindustan, contesting candidate by taking
Patna money
The Editor, Publication of news in favour of Closed on 26.4.2010 for non-pursuance
The Tribune, candidate by taking money.
Chandigarh.
The Editor, Publication of news in favour of Closed on 23.4.2010 for non-pursuance
Dainik Jagran a candidate by taking money.
The Editor, Publication of news/ Closed on 24.8.2010 for non-pursuance
Dainik Jagran advertisements in favour of a
candidate by selling news
column.
The Editors, Regarding violation of guidelines Closed on 23.4.2010 for non-pursuance
1) Dinamalar of press by highlighting the
2) The Hindu caste profile of the candidates
as well as constituencies.
 2

9. Shri Ramadhar Verma, The Editor, Publication of misleading Closed on 1.1.2010 for non-pursuance/lack
Purani Basti, Dainik Bhaskar advertisement in favour of a of address
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) Raipur. party during the election.
10- Shri P.P. Kapoor, The Editors, Regarding publication of The matter has been heard by the Inquiry
12 Haryana State Convenor, 1. Dainik Bhaskar misleading news/article/advts Committee of the Council. Its
Indian Federation of Trade 2. Dainik Jagran during Haryana Vidhan Sabha recommendations are yet to be finalized.
Unions (IFTU), 3. Punjab Kesari election.
G.T. Road,
Samalakha-132 101-03,
Panipat (Haryana)
13- Shri K. Ramasubramanian, The Editors, Publishing election/campaign The matter has been adjudicated by the Council
16 State Secretary, 1. Dinakaran related news according to on Jan. 3-4, 2011 at Kochi.
Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP), 2. Tamil whims and fancies.
83-3B, Arjun Nivas Murasu
Apartment, 3. Daily Thanthi
4th Street, Tatabad, 4. Maalai Malar
Coimbatore-641 012 –(TN).
17 Shri S.S. Arya, Editor, Regarding misleading the The matter has been heard by the Inquiry
State General Secretary, Punjab Kesari people. Committee of the Council. Its
Indian Justice Party, Haryana, recommendations are yet to be finalized.
Ambala

Complaints received by the Press Council of India on Paid News during 2010-11

S.No. Complainant Respondent Subject Action Taken/Status

1 Shri Rakesh Kumar Editor, Regarding manipulation and fraud with their Closed on 6.9.2010 Outside charter
Sharma, Dainik Jagra shareholders and also publish news
H.No.143, Sector- editorial/advertisements by taking money from
13, Kurukshetra, the candidates during Lok Sabha and legislative
Haryana assembly elections.
2 Shri Jai Singh Amar Ujala Regarding publication of false and defamatory Closed on 23.01.2012 for non-pursuance.
Village & PS- news item with the motive to blackmail him
Gajrola, Pilibhit during district Punchayati Election.
(UP)

Complaints received by the Press Council of India on Paid News during 2011-12
S.No. Complainant
1 Shri Nama Nagswara Rao,
M.P. (Lok Sabha)
Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party,
5, Parliament House, New Delhi
2 District Election Officer-cum- District
Magistrate,
Muzaffarpur (Bihar) through
Election Commission of India
3 District Election Officer-cum- District
Magistrate,
Muzaffarpur (Bihar) through
Election Commission of India
4 District Election Officer-cum- District
Magistrate,
Muzaffarpur (Bihar) through
Election Commission of India
5 District Election Officer-cum- District
Magistrate,
Muzaffarpur (Bihar) through
Election Commission of India
6 District Election Officer-cum- District
Magistrate,
Muzaffarpur (Bihar) through
Election Commission of India
7 District Election Officer-cum- District
Magistrate,
Muzaffarpur (Bihar) through
Election Commission of India
8 District Election Officer-cum- District
Magistrate,
Muzaffarpur (Bihar) through
Election Commission of India
3
Respondent Subject Action Taken/Status
Saakshi Publication of falsehood and The matter is under process.
malicious campaign.
Hindustan Publication of Paid News. The matter has been heard by the Inquiry
Committee of the Council. Its
recommendations are yet to be finalized.
Dainik Publication of Paid News. The matter has been heard by the Inquiry
Jagran Committee of the Council. Its
recommendations are yet to be finalized.
Prabhat Publication of Paid News. The matter has been heard by the Inquiry
Khabar Committee of the Council. Its
recommendations are yet to be finalized.
Rashtrya Publication of Paid News. The matter has been heard by the Inquiry
Sahara Committee of the Council. Its
recommendations are yet to be finalized.
Hindustan Publication of Paid News. The matter has been heard by the Inquiry
Times Committee of the Council. Its
(English) recommendations are yet to be finalized.
Poorvanchal Publication of Paid News. The matter has been heard by the Inquiry
Ki Raah Committee of the Council. Its
(Election recommendations are yet to be finalized.
Special )
Dainik Aaj Publication of Paid News. The matter has been heard by the Inquiry
Committee of the Council. Its
recommendations are yet to be finalized.
 4

9 District Election Officer-cum- District Dainik Publication of Paid News. The matter has been heard by the Inquiry
Magistrate, Udyog Committee of the Council. Its
Muzaffarpur (Bihar) through Vyapar recommendations are yet to be finalized.
Election Commission of India Times
10 Shri N. Konda, Saakshi Publication of a series of false The matter has been heard by the Inquiry
Indian National Congress Worker, news item about his father Committee of the Council. Its
S/o Shri N. Varadarajula Reddy, during election. recommendations are yet to be finalized.
Proddatur, Dadapa District (Andhra
Pradesh)
11 Ms. Mayabhushan Nagvenkar, The Herald, Regarding publication of paid Closed on 29.10.2012 being Sub-judice.
1392,Doxoxxvir, Anjuna, English news.
Bordrez, Goa-403 509 Daily,
And General Secretary, Panaji, Goa
Goa Union of Journalists,
Shramshakti Bhavan 6th Floor, Panaji.

Complaints received by the Press Council of India on Paid News during 2012-13

S.No. Complainant Respondent Subject Action Taken/Status

1 Shri Brajmani Singh, Dainik Jagran Publication of Paid Closed on 29.10.2012 being time barred.
Ex-State Spokesman, News during elections.
All India Hindu Maha Sabah,
Gorakhpur.
2-3. Shri Parvinder Singh Tyagi, 1. Dainik Jagran Paid News. Under consideration.
New Delhi. 2. Punjab Kesari
4-7. Shri Prem Prakash Thapliyal, 1. Amar Ujala, Paid news during Under consideration.
Central Member, 2. Dainik Jagran, elections.
Uttrakhand Parivartan Party, 3. Hindustan,
Dehradun. 4. Sandhya Prabhat.
8-9. Shri Cliffton De’souza, 1. The Navhind Paid News published. Under consideration.
Zaino, Velim, Salcete, Times
Goa – 403 723. 2. O Heraldo.

Source: Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 69 answered on 2.11.2012

 ANNEXURE-II

DETAILS OF PAID NEWS CASES DURING GENERAL ELECTION IN 2011

S.N. NAME OF STATE/ UT NO. OF PAID NEWS CASES REPORTED

1. Kerala 67
2. Puducherry 4
3. Assam 46
4. West Bengal 16
5. Tamil Nadu 22

DETAILS OF PAID NEWS CASES DURING GENERAL ELECTION IN 2012

S.N. NAME OF STATE/ UT NO. OF PAID NEWS CASES REPORTED

1. Uttar Pradesh 97
2. Uttarakhand 60
3. Punjab 523
4. Goa 70
5. Manipur Nil
6. @ Himachal Pradesh 104
7. Gujarat 414

DETAILS OF PAID NEWS CASES DURING GENERAL ELECTION IN 2013

S.N. NAME OF STATE/ UT NO. OF PAID NEWS CASES REPORTED

1. Meghalaya Nil
2. Nagaland Nil
3.. Tripura Nil
4. Karnataka 42

@ : Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4059 answered on 21.03.2013