CM for setting up of Press Academy in HP

Kullu, July 10 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said his government would consider the setting up of a Press Academy in the state besides implementation of the wage board report to benefit working journalists.

Addressing a two-day National Executive Committee meeting of the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) at Manali in the district, he said that the academy would help in refining the talent of the journalists.

Mr Singh said Himachal had already constituted a Journalist Welfare Fund for the welfare of the newspaper, agency and electronic journalists besides providing them accreditation facilities.

Calling upon the journalists to uphold high standards of reporting, he said instead of reporting on consumer related events and news, they should focus on developmental activities in the rural areas.

The Chief Minister emphasised the need for spreading information in the society for enabling the people to fight for their rights.

IJU secretary general Srinivasan Reddy called upon the government to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the Wage Board in the state.

Later, he also inaugurated a Bailey Bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore, over Beas River in the district.

State Power Minister Vidya Stokes, Revenue Minister Sat Mahajan, Agriculture Minister Raj Krishan Gaur and IPH Minister Kaul Singh Thakur were also present on the occasion.

UNI