Hyderabad: Union minister of state for home Bandi Sanjay Kumar demanded that the Congress government immediately fulfill its poll promise to journalists by granting housing sites to the JNJ MAC Housing Society, which paid the government Rs 12 crore 17 years ago, by collecting Rs 2 lakh each from its journalist members.
Despite the Revanth Reddy government allotting plots, the Supreme Court quashed the decision on November 25. Pointing out this development, the minister in a statement released on Tuesday said, “Though the Supreme Court’s decision is unfortunate, the government should act with all sincerity and use its discretionary powers to ensure justice for journalists. BJP is ready to fully cooperate with the government to resolve this issue.”
He specifically attacked the BRS and Congress to a lesser extent on this matter. “The Supreme Court's decision to cancel the allocation of housing plots given to the society is deeply distressing. The primary responsibility for journalists not receiving housing plots lies with the BRS, which was in power for a decade. The Supreme Court's verdict is a direct consequence of the negligence and mismanagement by the BRS and Congress governments,” he said.
“The hardships faced by journalist families due to this verdict are indescribable. Despite paying every penny for the plots, journalists have been made to wait 17 years,” Bandi Sanjay pointed out. He also blamed the previous governments for not helping journalists on other issues. “The governments have not even provided the journalists with basic amenities. Many health cards issued to journalists are non-functional. Without their own houses, they struggle to pay rent, afford their children's education and manage dire financial crises. Despite these struggles, they continue to prioritise societal welfare over personal comfort,” he explained.
The minister said if the government continues to neglect this matter, the BJP would formulate an action plan along with journalists to launch a massive movement and ensure Congress faces the same fate as the BRS. Asking journalists not to worry about the SC verdict, Bandi Sanjay Kumar assured to provide housing sites to journalists of the JNJ MAC Housing Society on a priority basis and all other eligible journalists on the BJP coming to power.
