Parmesh S Jain
Consideration in state budget for Health Card, Bus pass facilities for rural journalists
Rs.3000cr for Development of Kalyana Karnataka: CM Bommai
Though small newspapers have limited circulation, the news and articles they carry are high in value.
Providing health card, bus pass and other facilities for rural journalists would get priority in the coming budget.
Kalyana Karnataka Development Board would be constituted within a week and Rs.3000cr action plan for development of the region would be implemented within an year, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.
The Chief Minister in his address after inaugurating the 36th Karnataka Union of Working Journalists State level conference said, news publication sector is facing many challenges.
It is retaining public conscience and priorities amidst privatisation, globalisation, liberalisation and market driven business system.
Action would be taken to provide necessary advertisements for rural newspapers, health card, bus pass and other facilities for rural journalists in the next budget.
A Rs3000cr action plan has been prepared for the development of Kalyana Karnataka region. It would be finalised within a month after holding a meeting with legislators of this region. The funds would be provided and it would be implemented within a year, Bommai said.
Recalling the role of print media in the freedom movement, Bommai said, it played a key role in inspiring patriotism among the masses. Indian journalism has retained its identity even amid the influence of western journalism.
He appreciated the functioning of journalists during the Covid pandemic which claimed the lives of many journalists.
State government has paid a solatium of Rs.5 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives. We will reach out to the families which are yet to receive it,” he said.
Large and Medium Industries minister Murugesh Nirani inaugurated the Photo exhibition.
