AGARTALA, July 27 (TIWN): When journalists have been exhausted with Friday’s extra checking, mobile silence instruction for the first time in the Secretariat, Tripura Law Minister Ratan Lal Nath said, “Our Govt always gives heavy importance to the journalist and media world. Out of four pillars of democracy, media is the strongest pillar”. While addressing media at Secretariat, Ratan Lal Nath said, “Keeping the promise, our Govt has handed over the journalists murder cases to CBI, notification has been circulated and investigation to begin. However, job work can’t end here".

"We need to strengthen this particular pillar of democracy. For the first time Govt has decided to give accreditation cards to all journalists across towns and rural areas.  Electronic media have been given accreditation and from Journalist Welfare Fund 2 lakhs of help have been done to a journalist”, he said. 

“Our Govt keeps a positive attitude with journalists. Works have been started to renovate the press Club and also for senior or old journalists lift-system was introduced. We have also increased the pensions from 1000 to 10,000”, he said.

Govt is also thinking to increase the advertisement rates.

However, when the Minister is talking about accreditation, the accreditations are having with a limited numbers of journalists but the rest 80 % journalists and media persons who are not dependent upon Govt accreditation or didn’t get even after having will, what Govt has thought about them ? When at Secretariat journalists who were free to move till day, are being checked for 4 times including orders of keeping phones in silence, have expressed resentment and alleged harassment and cut of respect which they enjoyed before.