The state government will renew the accreditation cards of Telangana journalists in the first phase and the renewed cards will be issued by June 30, Telangana Press Academy chairman Allam Narayana has said.
However, he clarified that all journalists working in the common capital area would be given accreditation cards later without discriminating them on nativity basis. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Narayana said: “We will also hold discussions with AP government and ensure that there is no confusion over the issue.”
He said accreditation cards would be issued in three phases. In the first phase, the existing cards would be renewed. In the second phase the card holders can get any mistakes rectified. Later applications would be invited for issuance of new cards.
The chairman further announced that the state government has decided to issue accreditation cards to desk journalists also. New guidelines would be issued for the same in the third phase, he added.
“In another 15 to 20 days, we will work out criteria for issuing accreditation cards to journalists working at the desk. As for electronic media, we have zeroed in on seven departments for issuance of cards,” he informed.
He also pointed out that there was no relation between accreditation cards and government welfare programmes like health cards and lands for journalists.
“Health cards would be issued to all journalists and it is no way related to accreditation cards. Health minister C Lakshma Reddy has already signed the file concerned. It is awaiting CM’s approval before the programme is rolled out,” he added.
Source: The New Indian Express