Appealing to the railway minister to withdraw the increase at least in so far as newspapers and magazines were concerned, it said the newspaper industry as a whole was at present passing through difficult times with declining advertising revenue, sharp increase in cost and stiff competition from the electronic media.

There had been no increase in the freight rates on newspapers in the past, INS president Mammen Mathew said adding while in the 1998-99 budget proposals, an increase in the freight rates for magazines was announced, it was subsequently withdrawn.

He, however, welcomed the concession to journalists whereby accredited press correspondents can avail of 50 per cent concession in all classes.