Maha Mantra: Maharashtra govt to stop purchasing newspapers to save import bill

In a bid to save newsprint and forex revenue, the Maharashtra govt led by Devendra Fadnavis of BJP has become the first state in the country to go digital and stop purchasing physical copies of newspapers. The decision has been necessitated by the economic crisis triggered by the volatile Middle-East situation that has choked shipping lanes and logistics supplies besides pushing up prices. Good quality and glossy newsprint used in newspapers and magazines are largely imported, adding to the import bill.