ANMF
Port Blair, Nov 17: The Andaman Nicobar Media Federation celebrated the National Press Day on 16 November in a befitting manner. To mark the occasion, a function was held at Hotel TSG Embarld View (Budda hall) in the evening.
The Deputy Director,(M&C) PIB, Port Blair, Mr. Nilesh Kumar Kalbhor IIS was the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Nilesh Kumar said that press plays an important role in providing information to the general public. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the media to present the truth to the public.
Welcoming the gathering, the President of the Media Federation, K Ganeshan said that the press in the Islands have never got its due share. Recently they met the Chief Secretary and brought the issues and problems faced by the media in the Islands. The Chief Secretary assured to look into the issues. However, till date their issues remained unresolved. “The IP Division used to be very active 10 years back but today the entire Division has become inactive as far as media activities are concerned,” said K Ganeshan.
“Issuance of accreditation cards, increasing advertisement rates, issuance of lab tops to the media persons, concession to media persons in guest houses& Medical treatment are among the issues which needs to be resolve,” the President of Media Federation said.
Expressing disappointment for non fulfilment of their demands, he said that the media federation will take up the matter at the appropriate forum. Delay in clearing of bills by departments, no media tours, no PRO/ Managers in various departments, non issuance of Accreditation card for local media persons etc are some other issues troubling the local media here, he said.
“While publishing the advertisement, publications has to pay the GST but as bills remain pending for long, they had to face problems. He also raised the issue of discontinuation of PIB sponsored media trip to National Capital since last four years and wanted that the same may be restarted. The administration has also stopped media tour to mainland which should also be restarted. He expressed his dismay that the Directorate of IP&T instead of listening to the suggestions of the media persons for organizing media tour to areas like Diglipur or southern group, unilaterally decide to conduct the tour in Megapode,” he said.
Media representatives of Khabrain Aam Tak, People’s view, Aspect, All India Radio, Sampoorna Awaz (Hindi), Andaman Namnadu, Island Reflector, Andaman Observer, Andaman Yugam, Dweep Chetna, Dweep Manthan, Light of Kalapani, Transition Era, Andaman Sheekha, Andaman Chronicle, The Andaman Express (English), The Andaman Express (Hindi) The Echo of India, Andaman Messenger, Dweep Aaj Tak, Mini India, Andaman Kural (Tamil) , News Spotlight, Info Andaman Andaman Rostrum And Electronic Media, Tv24, News1 etc participated in the programme.
Mr. Shyam Singh Yadav, Vice President of ANMF proposed vote of thanks.
