Vaithilingam announces group insurance for journalists

Puducherry, Nov 16(UNI) Puducherry Chief Minister V Vaithilingam, who inaugurated the National Press Day celebrations in the union territory today announced that his administration would introduce a group insurance scheme for journalists.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Vaithilingam described journalists as ''creators of politicians'' and assured that his government would ensure all facilities to the media here.

The administration would introduce a group insurance scheme for the press and make available accomodation at concessionable rates to those coming to Puducherry on transfer, he said.

Puducherry Munnetra Congress (PMC)spokesman K Lkashminarayanan (MLA) said politicians need money as well as support of the press to play politicis. Pointing out that press was facing a threat from internet and cell phone technology, he exhorted print journalists to adopt a new strategy and go in for features and special stories to tide over the threat.

Secretary to the government (Information) Mr.Sudhir Kumar, said scribes should use this occasion for self-interospection to find out whether they were really functioning as watch dogs to the society.

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