The state government would construct Telangana Journalists Bhavan here at a cost of `10 crore, irrigation minister T Harish Rao has said.
Speaking at the Telangana State Union of Working Journalists (TUWJ) first state conclave here on Sunday, Harish Rao announced that journalists would be provided the tune of `2 lakh.
“It is unfortunate that while salaries in all fields are improving, it is on the decline in journalism. We are also committed to providing two bedroom houses for `4 lakh for journalists and also planning to set up an University to train journalists,” Harish Rao said while addressing the conclave.
Journalists from all over Telangana enthusiastically participated in the conclave, the first one in the new state of Telangana.
Journalists have played a very important role in Telangana movement and it is time now to achieve our rightful demands. Also there is responsibility on us to create a new Telangana culture and flavour in the media to stress our identity which we have been denied earlier in the united state, TUWJ president N Shekar said.
The various problems being faced by journalists like proper salaries, job guarantee, security, pressures from politicians and police and health insurance were highlighted by the speakers at the meeting.
“Journalists, who have played an important role in the T movement are meted with a raw deal after the formation of Telangana. Besides imposing restrictions on the media, the government is turning a blind eye to providing houses and medical insurance to journalists,” TDP floor leader Errabelli Dayakar Rao alleged.
Deputy chief minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali, BJP floor leader in Assembly K Laxman, Indian Journalists Union president SN Sinha, CPI floor leader in Assembly Ravindar Kumar Naik were among those present on the occasion.
Source: The New Indian Express