Exclusive fund for journalists available only in TS : Allam Narayana

Hyderabad: The Telangana government was extending huge support for the welfare of journalists and their families, Legislative Council Chairman K Swamy Goud said on Wednesday.

Goud distributed cheques to the families of 74 deceased journalists, amounting to a total of Rs 65.5 lakh under the Telangana State Working Journalists Welfare Fund.

Speaking on the occasion organised by the Telangana State Media Academy in the State capital, Goud recalled that during the separate Statehood movement, journalists encouraged leaders to take part in it. “Journalists have the capability of providing solutions to problems, which they bring it to the notice of officials concerned,” he said.

He wanted the Academy to take necessary steps to ensure the survival of small newspapers. Rajya Sabha member K Keshava Rao said apart from welfare programmes, the Academy should also conduct training for journalists from time to time. State government media advisor KV Ramanachary said all journalists should have accreditation and said he earlier tried to introduce a pension scheme too.

Media Academy chairman Allam Narayana said Telangana is the only State in the country to set aside Rs 100-crore capital fund for the welfare of journalists. “The Academy has taken up both welfare and training programmes for journalists,” he said, adding that 16,793 journalists were given accreditation in the State. Health cards were also being provided to them.

Buddha Purnima project officer Mallepalli Laxmaiah, Academy governing body members K Srinivas, K Srinivas Reddy, CG Gouri Shankar, Stevenson, Anjaiah, Satti Reddy, secretary B Rajamouli, I&PR additional director Nagaiah Kambli and other department officials participated in the function.