Shivaji Press Club Submits 18-Point Charter to Haryana CM, Seeks Action on Rural Journalists’ Issues

A delegation of the Shivaji Press Club, led by its president Ravindra Chauhan, met Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on the auspicious occasions of Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj and submitted an 18-point memorandum highlighting the concerns of rural and sub-divisional journalists across the state. The delegation discussed issues relating to journalists’ rights, working conditions and social security.

Demand for Media Infrastructure and Administrative Appointments

The delegation called for the prompt filling of long-vacant posts of Assistant Information and Public Relations Officers (AIPROs) at the sub-divisional level in Yamunanagar and other districts. It also sought the establishment of modern media centres in every subdivision, equipped with facilities where journalists can work and transmit news reports.

Key Demands in the 18-Point Memorandum

The memorandum included the following demands:

• Fill vacant AIPRO posts: Appoint Assistant Information and Public Relations Officers at the sub-divisional level on priority.
• Media centres: Establish modern media centres in all subdivisions for journalists to work and file reports.
• Rural and block-level accreditation: Simplify accreditation rules and extend recognition to tehsil- and rural-level journalists.
• Toll-free travel: Allow journalists toll-free passage at national and state highway toll plazas across Haryana.
• Journalist Protection Act: Enact a strong law to protect journalists from attacks and false cases arising from impartial field reporting.
• Cashless medical care: Extend the state government’s cashless healthcare scheme to journalists and their dependants.
• Reform the pension scheme: Make the age limit of 60 years and other eligibility conditions for journalists’ pensions more practical and accessible.
• Family pension: Transfer pension benefits to the dependent spouse or family in the event of the untimely death of a serving journalist.
• Affordable housing: Provide residential plots or government housing at concessional rates to journalists working at district and block levels.
• Digital and web media policy: Frame a clear policy for YouTube, portal and digital media journalists, including their eligibility for government advertisements and accreditation.
• Protection for independent reporting: Safeguard journalists from administrative and police pressure while undertaking investigative and impartial reporting.
• Grants for press clubs: Approve annual financial assistance for the functioning of district- and block-level press clubs.
• Expand bus travel benefits: Increase the free-travel limit and coverage available to journalists on Haryana Roadways buses.
• Accreditation for electronic media camera crews: Extend recognition and protection to news-channel cameramen and technical teams.
• Journalists’ welfare fund: Create a dedicated corpus to provide prompt assistance during emergencies, accidents and serious illness.
• Regular advertising support: Issue government advertisements regularly to small local and regional newspapers.
• Representation on district committees: Include local press club representatives in district grievance-redressal and development committees.
• Anti-harassment inquiry committee: Set up a joint panel of police, administration and press representatives to ensure impartial examination of complaints against journalists.

Chief Minister Assures Positive Consideration

Chief Minister Saini listened to the delegation’s demands and said the government was aware of the difficulties faced by journalists and the challenges associated with their work. He assured the representatives that practical issues raised in the 18-point memorandum, particularly those in the public interest, would be considered positively.

Wedding Invitation Presented in Vedic Tradition

During the courtesy meeting, Chauhan also presented the Chief Minister with an invitation to the wedding of his son, Shivam Rana, scheduled for November 18. The invitation was presented amid Vedic rituals and the chanting of mantras. Saini graciously accepted it and extended his advance wishes to the couple for a happy and bright future.

Pandit Yagya Dutt Gauniyal and Rudra Pratap Singh were also present on the occasion.

EDITORIAL NOTE

The demands listed in this report are those submitted by the Shivaji Press Club delegation. The Chief Minister’s response is reported as an assurance to consider practical and public-interest issues; no policy decision or implementation has been announced in this account.