CGHS facility to PIB accredited journalists not withdrawn: Govt

New Delhi, Apr 17 (UNI) The government today denied that it had withdrawn the CGHS facility to the PIB accredited journalists, saying mediapersons would have to pay enhanced subscription for availing the facility.

Mr Tathagata Satpathy (BJP) raised the issue in the Lok Sabha making a pointed query whether ''the Government had discontinued CGHS facility to PIB accredited journalists and their families since 2007.'' Minister of State for Health and Family Planning P Lakshmi replied in the negative saying, ''the facilities have been extended to PIB accredited journlaists on 'recovery of cost' basis. The cost to be recovered, has been enhanced for last few years and the journalists are reluctant to pay the arrears at the enhanced rates.'' ''It is difficult for the government to reduce the cost payable by the journalists while continuing to charge other similarly situated categories of beneficiaries at the enhanced rates,'' the Minister said.

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