The situation of journalists who question the government for the welfare of all sections and take the initiative to get them fruits has become miserable. Non-fulfillment of the five half promises mentioned in the manifesto is limiting the welfare of journalists to paper.
- Sarkar guarantees limited to advertisements
- Is the welfare fund of Rs.100 crore worth it?
- The Congress government did not even give a single penny
- It has not been implemented for two and a half years
Hyderabad, July 14 (Namaste Telangana): The situation of journalists who question the government for the welfare of all sections and take the initiative to get them fruits has become miserable. Non-fulfillment of the five half promises mentioned in the manifesto is limiting the welfare of journalists to paper. The condition of journalists has become untenable due to lack of action on the implementation of fund, health security, accreditation cards, pensions and housing guarantees for retired journalists. The leaders of the unions are pressing the government and demanding a welfare fund of Rs.100 crores.
Collateral guarantees
In the name of assurances, the Congress government also cheated the journalists. There are only five promises made in the manifesto, but not one of them has been fulfilled. Till now no money has been deposited that Rs.100 crores will be established as a journalist’s welfare fund. The families of the deceased journalists will be given compensation of Rs.5 lakh. They said that they would give pension to retired journalists but did not give it to anyone. While health cards should be given equally to employees, currently health cards are given only to employees. Journalists are receiving medical treatment only with the cards given by the previous KCR government. If the welfare fund had been allocated.. Rs. 5 crores would have accrued as interest on the current Rs. 2 crores. This amount would reach Rs.7 crores. With these, there was an opportunity to support hundreds of poor journalists. Due to the negligence of the Congress government, in these two and a half years, besides the corpus fund of Rs.100 crores, the interest of Rs.12 crores has been lost. Still Rs. 2 crores are collected per year through the journalist welfare fund established by the previous KCR government. A monthly pension of Rs.3 thousand is being given to the families of the deceased journalists.
Blocked here.. but not there?
Congress has announced in its manifesto that house plots will be allotted district wise to eligible journalists. CM Revanth Reddy gave land title deeds to JN Society after holding a meeting at Ravindra Bharathi in Hyderabad. Due to the Supreme Court’s verdict, they raised their hands that they could not give places in Nizampet and Petbashirabad. It has been announced that 500 acres will be built in Future City. The journalist leaders are demanding that the same policy followed for allotment of places in Future City is not applicable in the case of JN Society.
No entry into the Secretariat
Journalists are facing many insults under the Congress regime, which claims to be a democracy. It is regrettable that the value of Aadhaar card is lacking in accreditations and identity cards issued by media organizations. If you show Aadhaar card, the government is issuing an entry pass to the secretariat, but if you show the journalist’s identity card, it says no entry. Security personnel of the Secretariat will not allow you to show your government-issued identity card. Entry will be given only if you have a pass. Journalists are cringing as this insult is happening every day.
Welfare programs under BRS
- A welfare fund of Rs.1 lakh is being provided to the families of deceased journalists. It has provided financial assistance of Rs.3.92 crores to 392 people till 2022 at the rate of one lakh. It has also provided a pension of Rs.3 thousand per month for five years for the welfare of the deceased journalist’s family. In this form Rs. 5.51 crores provided.
- A scheme has been introduced to provide financial assistance of Rs.50 thousand to journalists who are injured in accidents and are in a helpless condition. 124 people helped Rs.62 lakhs. 309 children have been paid tuition fees at the rate of one thousand rupees per month.
- 47,723 health cards have been handed out. 22,326 people underwent surgeries till 2022 through health cards. KCR Sarkar has spent Rs.33.44 crores for the treatment of journalists.
- It has trained 7 thousand journalists across the state to increase their professional skills. 25% fee concession for those studying MCJ in Telugu University and 50% fee concession for journalists studying MA Journalism course in Ambedkar University.
- During the Corona crisis, 3,915 journalists were affected by Covid and provided Rs.6.88 crore at the rate of Rs.20,000 each. It provided financial assistance of Rs. 2 lakhs to 64 people who were seriously ill.
KCR’s rule.. The era of journalists
Journalist welfare schemes were initiated during the KCR government. In the first year of formation of Telangana, a journalist welfare fund (corpus fund) was established with Rs.42 crores. Out of that, the academy spent Rs.17.61 crore for the welfare of the journalist. A media academy building with all amenities has been constructed at a cost of Rs.15 crores in Nampally, Hyderabad. There were only 12 thousand accreditations for 23 districts in the united state. KCR Sarkar gave 22 thousand accreditation cards. For the first time, the BRS government provided accreditation cards to the desk journalists. Moreover, 33 percent reservation for women has been implemented. Under the social security scheme, an accident insurance of Rs.5 lakhs has been provided. By 2022, 20 thousand journalists have got this insurance.
