Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Minister for Revenue, Housing, Information and Public Relations Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy announced that Indiramma Houses will be provided to all eligible journalists. During an event at the Press Academy office in Nampally, Hyderabad, on Friday, the Minister presented cheques to the family members of journalists who passed away in the line of duty or who could not continue their profession due to severe illnesses or accidents.

In his remarks, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy shared that a dedicated action plan is being developed to assist journalists operating at the mandal and constituency levels within the districts. He also noted that the Press Academy building, which had been left incomplete by the previous BRS government, will undergo minor repairs and is scheduled for completion and inauguration by the end of this month.

"The Academy plans to utilise the Rs. 42 crore allocated by the state government through installments in a fixed deposit, with the interest generated being directed towards the welfare of journalists. To date, Rs. 22 crore has already been disbursed for this purpose, drawn from the interest accrued on the fixed deposit," he disclosed.

The Minister further announced that 597 families of deceased journalists will receive a one-time amount of Rs. 1 lakh, along with a monthly pension of Rs. 3,000 for a duration of five years. Furthermore, for children from  class 1 to 10 of these families, an amount of Rs. 1,000 per month will be provided for tuition fees, applicable for a maximum of two children. So far, financial assistance totaling Rs. 8.98 crore has been extended to the families of journalists from this fund, he said.