Khanduri urges media not to ''play politics''

Dehradun, May 26 (UNI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri today called on the the media to ''refrain from playing politics'' and urged the journalists to come forward with a more collective and focused approach.

Addressing the media at ''Meet the Press'' programme organised by the Uttarakhand Press Club, the Chief Minister said, ''The media plays a very crucial role in the society and it has power to bring in changes in the society. It can change the view of public. Hence it ought to be careful while reporting.'' He said the purpose of media should be collective and focused for the welfare of public. It must also, at the same time, equally highlight the good and bad in the government sector in order to perform well.

''However, the media should perform it's duty in such a way that it does not lose its credibility,'' he asserted.

Mr Khanduri assured Uttarakhand Press Club President Chetan Gurung-- who came up with several problems and demands related to journalists-- that an Apex body of Journalists would be set up to address the issues on priority basis.

''It (the apex body) would help the government in resolving them quickly,'' he maintained.

Earlier, Mr Gurung urged the government to identify journalists by providing special Identity Cards to them besides providing them with free medical, rebates in various government transportations.

He also sought an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of those journalists who died in accidents and a government job to one of their family members.

The press Club also sought the constitution of a 3-crore Media Welfare fund, effective advertisement policy for small and medium newspapers and release of fund for the construction of Press Club Guest House.

UNI