CM announces incentives for journalists

by Haryananewswire.com
CHANDIGARH, Nov 18
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today announced to institute a Lifetime Achievement Award and announced a bonanza of other incentives for mediapersons which
included grant of press accreditation facility at block level.
The Chief Minister was interacting with mediapersons shortly after dedicating a newly set up hi-tech Media Centre, equipped with all modern facilities, at the 8th floor of Haryana Civil Secretariat, here today. Spread over an area of 7000 sq. feet, the Media Centre has been set up at a cost of about Rs one crore in view of the changing scenario of media.
While clarifying the issue of definition of "Journalist" in view of the Journalist Welfare Fund set up by the State Government, the Chief Minister said that now it has been decided that those who are basically associated with journalism and those whose main source of income is journalism, would get financial assistance from Journalist Welfare Fund irrespective of the fact whether they are accredited or
not by the State Government. This decision has been taken for the welfare of journalists.
He said that in case of sudden death of a journalist or any person associated with journalism, an ex-gratia would be provided to his or her next of kins out of the Journalist Welfare Fund.
He also introduced the facility of Press Accreditation to mediapersons at block level by giving Press Accreditation Cards to three such mediapersons. He also announced that separate Press Accreditation Cell and Press Facility Cell would be set up and these would be functional from January next.
Mr Hooda said that for the first time, the mediapersons would be
provided with electronic lockers thus giving them one GB space to
store their data.
Mr Hooda said that the Press Room set up at the Media Centre was the first of its kind in public sector in the country. Equipped with all modern means of communication, it has seven computers with internet facility to facilitate the functioning of mediapersons. Two fax machines have also been provided in the Press Room. In addition, 30 physical lockers would be allotted to mediapersons as per their need in the Press Room. The Chief Minister handed over the keys of first
such locker to veteran journalist Mr N.S.Parwana.
The Press Room has a theater system, wide-screen LCD TV sets equipped with Tata Sky and cable network. A Centrex telephone system has been installed in the Press Room through which any mediaperson can directly ring up any officer of the Haryana Information and Public Relations Department.
The Chief Minister said that the work to set up a hi-tech web studio was in progress at Media Centre and it would be functional within a couple of months. This web studio would provide video clippings on various programmes and achievements of the Government to the mediapersons. It would also have pre-production and post-production facilities like editing. He said that electronic press notes would be
issued from January 1 and Haryana would be the first State to introduce such a system in the country.
He said that a Conference Room has also been set up at Media Centre where daily briefing system would be introduce to highlight the various achievements of the State Government. Also, an Information Centre equipped with 10 computers, fax and internet facility has also been set up at the Media Centre. He said that a modern pantry has also been set up at Media Centre which would be run by Haryana Hospitality Department.
While referring to other incentives given by the State Government to mediapersons, the Chief Minister said that with a view to encourage mediapersons of both print and electronic media, the State Government has already instituted 13 State level and 147 district level awards.
Such cash awards totaling about Rs 53 lakh would be given to mediapersons every year. There would be two special state awards of Rs one lakh each, 11 state awards of Rs 51,000 each and 147 district awards of Rs 21,000 each.
While referring to the issue of providing Government accommodation for mediapersons, he said that for allotment of houses, the mediapersons would have to pay only that much minimum house rent which is being paid by Government official for the allotment of a similar house. This decision was necessitated because the journalists were paying differential house rent for the houses alloted to them.
Today being the World Epilepsy Day, Mr Hooda announced to give a grant of Rs one lakh each to Haryana Child Welfare Council and "Pryas", an organisation of Chandigarh as these organisations are engaged in the welfare of the deaf, dumb, physically challenged and those suffering from epilepsy.
The Chief Minister appreciated the significant role being played by mediapersons in apprising the people about the developmental and welfare programmes of the State Government.
The Chief Minister was taken around the entire Media Centre and he appreciated the facilities made available there for media persons.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by President of Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr Phool Chand Mullana, MLAs namely Mr Naresh Yadav and Mrs Geeta Bukkal, Chief Secretary Mr Dharam Vir, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr M.L.Tayal, Commissioner-cum-Director Information and Public Relations Mr K.K.Khandelwal, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Haryana Public Works (Building and Roads) Department, Mr K.K.Jalan,Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Prof. Virender, Media Adviser to Chief Minister Mr Sunder Pal, Senior oficers of Haryana Public Works (Building and Roads)
Department and Architecture Department.