Journalists’ Union leaders meet I&PR Commissioner

Hyderabad: The Journalists Union leaders of Telangana State headed by Media Academy chairman Allam Narayana met Information and Public Relations Commissioner Arvind Kumar in his chambers and had a marathon discussions in detail with regard to the burning problems being faced by Journalists fraternity in the State.
 
The union leaders demanded certain amendments to be made in the G.O.Ms.239 which facilitates issue of accreditations to the Journalists at State and District level.  They appealed to bring parity among small newspapers and magazines with regard to issue of accreditation cards at State and district level.  They also appealed to provide adequate representation to the Urdu Journalists in all the Accreditation Committees. They also requested to increase the number of accreditations at Mandal level and informed that in most of the Mandals more than two reporters are working in any given newspaper organisations.   They appealed justification in empanelment and categorisation of small newspapers and magazines and issue accreditations and advertisements accordingly.
 
Responding to this, Arvind Kumar promised to study the Government orders in detail and bring in necessary amendments, which suits the requirements of the Journalists.
 
Arvind Kumar informed that a total of 16,828 accreditation cards have been issued in Telangana State.  Of which, 8,798 health cards have been issued so far in addition to 28,049 health cards to their family members.  He appealed the Accreditated Journalists who have not applied for the health cards to apply for the health cards immediately and make use of the government extended facility.  He asked all the DPROs in the State to see that all the accreditated journalists avail the health cards facility in their respective districts without fail.  
 
Allam Narayana appealed to issue accreditation cards to the online journalists also as per the recommendations of the Ramachandra Murthy Committee and bring necessary amendments to the government orders.
 
Virahat Ali, General Secretary, TSUWJ informed that most of the empanelled hospitals are not allowing the health cards issued to the Journalists stating non receipt of pending bills by the government.  He also asked to set up Wellness Centres in all the erstwhile districts as promised earlier by the government and see that these Wellness Centres are well equipped with necessary medicines and lab facilities.  Upon which, the Commissioner, I&PR promised to bring the facts to the notice of the Health Secretary and sort out the issue amicably.
 
Kranti Kiran, General Secretary, TUWJ asked to issue health cards to the non-accreditated and retired journalists based on the guidelines prepared by the Committee.  The Commissioner assured to pursue the matter with the concerned department for issue of government orders facilitating health cards to the Non-accredited and Retired journalists in the State.  
 
Arvind Kumar said that a report with regard to issue of Double Bed room houses/House site pattas to the journalists of State and district level respectively would be submitted for immediate redressal of the grievance.
 
The Union leaders also put forth the demands to introduce pension scheme for Retired Journalists of the State vis-a-vis other neighbouring states and also bring in legislation with regard to Journalist Protection Act in case of attacks and assaults on Journalists as is being implemented Maharashtra State.  The Commissioner instructed the officials to get the modalities of the Act and work on the possibilities for its implementation in the State of Telangana.
 
N. Shekar, President, TSUWJ and M. Somayya, President, Anand, Member TWJF  and others were also present.