Newspaper Distributors Air Their Vows; Seek Remedy

Hyderabad: The first meeting of the TS Print Media Distributors Association (TSPMDA) held here on Tuesday resolved to work for the welfare of the newspaper delivery personnel and distributors. They sought inclusion of their demands in the manifesto of the political parties.

Addressing the meet, Khanapur MLA Vedma Bojju Patel said he had worked as a “paper boy” and as a reporter while in college. “I still stay in an Indiramma house. I will take your demands to the CM,” he said. He also felicitated sisters Prameela and Pavitra students who deliver newspapers pursuing degree and intermediate education.

The major demands put forth by the association were 80 per cent subsidy for e-charging motor vehicles to those working in the daily newspapers, Rs.20 lakh health insurance and Rs.50 lakh accident insurance, identity cards from the labour department, health camps every six months once and medicines free of cost among others.

“The state government should study the welfare measures being adopted by the Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments and adopt them in Telangana state,” said Kudali Ramprasad Rao, state general secretary of TSPMDA.

Sunil Patankar, president, All India Newspaper Vendors Association, said, “Around 175 newspaper agents died of Covid. We are the only ones who ventured out during the pandemic but we don’t get the attention because of lack of unity. There are 64 lakh vendors in the country who deliver 30 crore papers to houses and provide knowledge to people. We get thirty per cent commission in Maharashtra.”