September 20, 2008 :Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to protect the interests of the working journalists. He was addressing the inaugural session of two-day long National Executive Meet of the Federation of PTI Employees’ Union organized by Federation of PTI Employees Union, Shimla, here last evening.
Chief Minister said that the state government had maintained cordial relations with the media persons and considers them vital organ of the democracy. He said that the media happens to be the vital link between the people and the Government and provide important feed back to both the ends. He said that the media had been helpful in disseminating vital information to the government to take necessary action at the appropriate level to deliver relief to the aggrieved parties. He said that unbiased and neutrality in reporting were the vital ingredients of perfect and responsible reporting which were required to be observed for upholding the ethics of journalism. He said that the state government was open to and welcome healthy and constructive criticism, which could help amend it policies and programmes for the benefit of common man. He said that the state government considers delivering best of the services to the people its prime responsibility, which could be met with the help of the active cooperation of the media persons.
Prof. Dhumal said that the media had been instrumental in educating and making people aware of the various policies and programmes formulated by the state government from time to time. He urged the media to provide adequate space to the developmental and social welfare achievements of the government so that mass awareness was created amongst the people, which could take benefit of the same. He said that no effort of the government would meet its objective unless supported by the media in right perspective. He appreciated the role of news agencies in dissemination of information all over the world through its network. He said that the state government was extending various facilities to the working journalists to help them perform their duties efficiently and conveniently. He said that the matter of various demands raised by the PTI Federation would be raised at appropriate level and efforts made to deliver them justice.
Shri John C. Golsalves, President, Federation of PTI Employees Union, welcomed the Chief Minster and thanked him for his support to their demands.
Shri Jai Ram Thakur, MLA and President, State BJP, Shri Bhim Sen, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Shri Ram Subhag Singh, Secretary, IPR, Shri Rajender Rana, State BJP Spokesman, Dr. Arun Sharma, Principal Private Secretary to CM, Shri K.R. Bharti, Special Secretary, GAD, Shri J.R. Katwal, Director IPR and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.