Scribes issues taken up with I and PR chief

​Hyderabad: Journalists Union leaders of Telangana State, led by Allam Narayana, Chairman, Media Academy of Telangana State, met Arvind Kumar, Information Commissioner, in his chambers here on Saturday and discussed burning problems being faced by the journalists. The Union leaders had a marathon meeting with Information Commissioner. 

They sought amendments to the GO Ms.239 facilitating issue of accreditation to Journalists. Seeking parity among small newspapers and magazines in issuing accreditation cards at that State and district level, they sought adequate representation to Urdu journalists on accreditation committees. 

Each newspaper has at least two reports at mandal level, they said and sought the Commissioner to increase the number of accreditations at mandal level. 

They appealed for justification in empanelment and categorisation of small newspapers and magazines and issue accreditations and advertisements accordingly.  Responding to them, Arvind Kumar promised to study the GO to make amendments as sought by the journalists. 

He told them that 16,828 accreditation cards have been issued in the State.  In all, 8,798 health cards have been issued in addition to 28,049 health cards to their family members.  He asked all the DPROs in the State to see to it that all the accredited journalists avail the health cards facility in their respective districts without fail.   

Allam Narayana sought accreditation cards to online journalists also as per the Ramachandra Murthy Committee recommendations and wanted relevant amendments to be made to the GO. 

Virahat Ali, General Secretary, TSUWJ, complained to the Commissioner about most of the empanelled hospitals are refusing to honour the health cards issued to journalists, stating non-receipt of pending bills from the government.  He urged the Commissioner to set up Wellness Centres in all erstwhile districts as promised earlier by the government.  

The Commissioner assured the scribes that he would take the facts to the notice of the Health Secretary and sort out the issue amicably.  Kranti Kiran, General Secretary, TUWJ, sought health cards to non-accredited and retired journalists as recommended by a committee. The Commissioner promised to take up the matter with relevant department for issue of GO accordingly.  

Arvind Kumar said that a report with regard to issue of double bedroom houses/house site pattas to the journalists of State and district level respectively would be submitted for immediate redressal of the grievance.
 
They also put forth the demands for pension scheme for retired journalists 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 modalities of the Act and work on the possibilities for its implementation in Telangana State. 

N Shekar, President, TSUWJ and M Somayya, President, Anand, member of TWJF, and others were also present.