Reiterating that his government would solve all problems of journalists, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today they were taking steps to provide all facilities to journalists in the State.
On the occasion of his birthday today, the Chief Minister handed over cheques of Rs 1 lakh each to 84 bereaved families of journalists here on Friday during the first Janahitha program organised at Pragathi Bhavan. On the occasion, the Chief Minister informed that Rs 10 lakh has been given for the heart transplantation operation of senior journalist Harikishan Reddy. He also made it clear that Rs 3 lakh will be given to the girls, who attained marriage age and lost their father under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund scheme. Besides, double bed room houses will be allotted to the bereaved families in their own districts. He said Rs 4 lakh announced for the kin of sports journalist J Srinivasulu, who died recently.
Reminding that he worked with Press Academy Chairman Allam Narayana in Telangana movement, KCR thanked the latter for organizing this program. He asked the media managements to provide PF and ESI facility to the scribes. Stating that he was moved with the problems of the journalists, the Chief Minister said there are 20,000 journalists across the State and Rs 20 crore were already allocated to them and Rs 30 crore will be allocated in the coming budget.
The Chief Minister said the State will stand as a role model in the nation with regard to journalists welfare. He said, “We achieved Telangana with great hardships. There won’t be poverty and sadness in the newly formed State. Journalist quota will be created in residential schools. “One has to inform their problems to the Press Academy and we will solve them”. He said he wanted to launch a program through Janahitha to strengthen the financial system of Telangana State. The State stood in first place across the nation with 19.5 percent economic growth. “We controlled corruption. We are strengthening rural economic system by strengthening irrigation system. The works of reservoirs are going on. Now the news is when there is no power in the State, changes will occur through Mission Bhagiratha program”, he added.
Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy, Malkajgiri MP Malla Reddy, I&PR Commissioner Navin Mittal, Press Academy chairman Allam Narayana, senior journalists and others participated in the program. (NSS)