(1)

The Ministry shall co-ordinate and facilitate the adherence to the Code of Ethics by publishers and self regulating bodies, develop an Oversight Mechanism, and perform the following functions, namely:—

(a) publish a charter for self regulating bodies, including Codes of Practices for such bodies;

(b) establish an Inter-Departmental Committee for hearing grievances;

(c) refer to the Inter-Departmental Committee grievances arising out of the decision of the self-regulating body under rule 12, or where no decision has been taken by the self-regulating body within the specified time period, or such other complaints or references relating to violation of Code of Ethics as it may consider necessary;

(d) issue appropriate guidance and advisories to publishers;

(e) issue orders and directions to the publishers for maintenance and adherence to the Code of Ethics.

(2)

The Ministry shall appoint an officer of the Ministry not below the rank of a Joint Secretary to the Government of India, as the ―Authorised Officer‖, for the purposes of issuing directions under rules 15 or 16, as the case may be.