Our Correspondent
Imphal, July 12 (EMN): Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) and Manipur Hills Journalists’ Union (MHJU) have demanded the introduction of Manipur government advertisement policy where every government achievement and programmes are advertised as part of a helping hand of the government as the Supreme Court has made it compulsory for implementation of the Majithia Wage Board recommendations.
A joint memorandum was submitted to Information and Public Relations (IPR) Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh by EGM president A Mobi and MHJU president Sothing Shimray led team on Wednesday. The memorandum demanded the identification and acquisition of land for a Press Park, respective offices for EGM and MHJU and accommodation for journalists coming to the capital from the hill districts, one time exemption and enrolment for journalists who had been left out from the pension scheme for journalists. The organisations also demanded for consideration of the longstanding demand subsidy for power and transport subsidy for newsprints and other printing material and amendment of accreditation card rules of Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR).
According to official sources, EGM and MHJU delegation have requested the IPR minister to clear government bills through DIPR within two months of submission of the bills so as to enable media houses to function smoothly.
Presently around a dozen veteran journalists were provided monthly pension while around 108 journalists were enrolled as members of Manipur state journalist pension scheme. Currently there are around 50 accredited journalists in Manipur, report stated. EGM and MHJU team also feted the Minister with a traditional shawl and memento during the day’s meeting.
