NEW DELHI: Urban development ministry, which is responsible for directorate of printing and department of publication, is the biggest defaulter so far outstanding dues of government printing presses is concerned. According to a parliamentary panel's report, out of the total Rs 385.62 crore outstanding printing charges, UD ministry owes Rs 91.45 crore.

"The committee failed to understand from replies of the ministry that on the one hand, they are sending letters from MoS level to all the defaulters, and are expecting expedited realisation of the outstanding dues, on the other hand, they themselves have become the biggest defaulter," the parliamentary standing panel on UD has said in its latest report.

Among the next highest defaulter are communication and IT ministry (Rs 73.76 crore), defence ministry (Rs 70.45 crore), home ministry (Rs 31.77 crore), finance ministry (Rs 27.41 crore) and Delhi government (Rs 17.19 crore). The list of defaulters include 54 central ministries, 12 autonomous bodies, eight states and Delhi government.

Recommending that UD ministry must set an 'inspiring example', the parliamentary panel has said it must pay the outstanding dues within this financial year ....