Congress Government Committed to Welfare of Journalists, Says Revanth

 Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday reaffirmed the Congress government's commitment to the welfare of journalists by handing over 38 acres of land in Petbasheerabad to the Jawaharlal Nehru Journalists Mutually Aided Cooperative Housing Society (JNJMACHS), completing an unfinished task left unaddressed by successive governments for nearly two decades.

Society president B. Kiran Kumar, vice-president R. Ravikanth Reddy and CEO N. Vamsi Srinivas received the order copy from Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, formally handing over the land to the housing society.

Addressing the gathering at Ravindra Bharathi, Revanth Reddy emphasised the crucial role of journalists in society, compared them to doctors who treat social ills. He acknowledged the initiative taken by former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, who allocated housing sites to journalists in Hyderabad in 2008.

He said the previous BRS government had failed to hand over the plots to journalists even after ruling the state for 10 years. Revanth Reddy said the Congress government after coming to power had made sincere efforts in finding a permanent solution to these issues.

Revanth Reddy criticised certain sections of the media for spreading false propaganda and called on professional journalists to take responsibility for maintaining the standards of journalism.

The Chief Minister announced the sanction of Rs 10 crore to the Media Academy from the Special Development Fund.

“The government is dedicated to safeguarding genuine journalists. We are determined to counter any unprofessional practices that have tarnished the reputation of this noble profession. Our people's government will continue to seek the guidance and suggestions of the journalist community to build trust in our systems,” he added.

The Chief Minister also announced that the Telangana Media Academy has been instructed to prepare new guidelines to address pending issues such as journalists' health cards, accreditation, and other concerns.

Revenue and I&PR minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy lauded the Chief Minister for fulfilling the Congress government's poll promise of providing house sites to journalists in Hyderabad. He criticised the previous BRS government for failing to hand over the land despite clear directions from the Supreme Court in August 2022.

Srinivas Reddy highlighted that it was the Congress government, both in the past and present, that had consistently supported journalists by providing them with housing sites.

Telangana Media Academy chairman K. Sreenivas Reddy expressed gratitude to Revanth Reddy for swiftly resolving the long-pending housing issue. He pointed out that the previous BRS government had failed to address this matter during its decade-long rule.

I&PR special commissioner M. Hanumantha Rao hailed Revanth Reddy handing over land to the journalists housing society as a "historic and memorable event". This initiative fulfilled the two-decade-long dream of journalists to own a home in Hyderabad, he said.

Hanumantha Rao said that the CM had also announced Rs 1 lakh financial assistance to the families of 44 journalists who passed away while on duty. Besides, Rs 50,000 will be provided to three families of journalists who suffered severe injuries and lost their livelihood due to accidents.

Hanumantha Rao said mentioned that the Chief Minister had decided to grant a monthly pension of Rs 3,000 for five years to the families of deceased journalists. Additionally, Rs 1,000 per month will be provided as tuition fee assistance for up to two children of journalists, covering their education from Class I to X.