Urdu Journalist Urged CM KCR To Consider Its Resolution Passed In 1st National Conference

Hyderabad, May 31 (Maxim News): The Telangana Urdu Working Journalist Federation led by by its general secretary, Syed Ghouse Mohiuddin and vice President Habeeb Ali Al Jilani has submitted the resolution passed in the 1st National Conference held in Hyderabad on May 28 to the Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao urging him to consider their genuine 25 problems being faced by them and requested to solve it.

The resolution passed by the 1st National conference stated that the the GO No. 239, enacted in 2016 by the Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Telangana, should be revoked. A committee should be constituted to draft contemporary guidelines for the issuance of Accreditation Cards. The committee should have representatives of Urdu, Telugu, and English language newspapers (both large and small), Electronic Media (satellite and cable), Digital Media, Photo journalists, Video Journalists, Magazines, Journals, and Freelance Journalists representatives. A fresh GO is to be issued based on the committee’s recommendations.

2. On an immediate basis (till the new GO is issued after the formation of a committee), the existing GO No. 239 should be amended to provide Accreditation Cards to Urdu journalists at the Mandal level.
3. The Coronavirus pandemic of 2020 left a huge negative impact on journalism. The circulation of many newspapers got reduced. Most of the management of daily newspapers has stopped publishing District Editions while hundreds of small and medium newspapers have closed down. In these circumstances, it would be unfair to place circulation and newspaper pages as criteria for the issuance of Accreditation Cards. Therefore, only 8 pages of newspaper should be considered for issuance of accreditation.
4. C-category small newspapers should also be declared eligible for Accreditation Cards in the districts.
5. On par with Telugu newspapers, desk accreditation cards should be issued to Urdu newspapers in the districts.
6. An Urdu journalist should be added as a member of the State and District Media Accreditation Committee, thus recognizing the Urdu category within the committee.
7. We propose the establishment of a Journalists’ Pension Scheme in Telangana, comparable to those in other states. This scheme should offer a minimum monthly pension of Rs. 10,000 to journalists over the age of 55 who have amassed 25 years of experience. We also urge the central government to initiate a similar pension scheme for journalist’s nationwide under the auspices of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
8. Given the paramount importance of health and the prohibitive costs of quality healthcare, it is imperative that journalists are included in the new health scheme announced for government employees and pensioners in the current fiscal year’s budget. Earlier, the State Government had issued health cards to journalists along with government employees. But those cards are no longer valid in corporate hospitals. We urge the Telangana government to consider this necessary amendment.
9. The Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Telangana, must promptly conclude the empanelment process for newspapers and duly incorporate qualifying applicant newspapers.
10. The I & PR Dept should release the advertisements of Rs 2,00,000 annually for the small newspapers, journals, and magazines of Telangana.
11. The Telangana Urdu Academy is urged to provide a minimum of Rs. 60,000 annually as financial support to Urdu newspapers, journals, and magazines, regularly.
12. The Media Academy should release an ex gratia payment of Rs. 5,00,000 and a monthly pension of Rs. 10,000 for 10 years to families of deceased journalists. An additional amount of Rs. 5,00,000 should be allocated for the marriages of deceased journalist daughters. Immediate Financial relief of atleast 50,000 should also be extended to journalists in need of medical treatment.
13. For journalists’ children seeking higher education abroad, the government should launch the “Journalists’ Children Overseas Education Scheme”, providing a grant of Rs. 25 lakh.
14. A GO should be issued to offer a 50% fee concession for journalists’ children studying in corporate schools and colleges.
15. The Urdu Academy should conduct regular training sessions to familiarize Urdu journalists with modern technology and distribute laptops to them.
16. All Urdu journalists in Telangana should be allocated residential plots or double-bedroom houses, irrespective of their Accreditation Card status.
17. An Urdu journalist should be nominated in the Media Academy.
18. The recommendations of the Wage Board must be implemented, to ensure the provision of minimum wages to journalists in the state.
19. Accreditation cards should be given to Digital Media journalists.
20. A Journalists’ Security Act should be enacted in Telangana on the line of Maharashtra to safeguard journalists’ constitutional right to freedom of expression and protect them from attacks.
21. Urdu newspapers published from Hyderabad should be included in the media list and accredited in neighboring states such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
22. The central government should establish a more comprehensive Media Council, replacing the existing press council, with mandatory inclusion of Urdu journalists.
23. Accreditation cards should be issued promptly to freelance and independent journalists.
24. The Urdu Academy should allocate a minimum of Rs. 50,000 for the medical treatment of Urdu journalists.
25. The central government should immediately restore the provision of a 50% concession on train tickets for journalists. (Maxim News)

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