Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today announced Rs one crore for construction of a building for the Press Club here and said the money would be released as soon as the management gets some suitable land at a centrally located place.
He directed the Deputy Commissioner, Mayor and Commissioner of Shimla Municipal Corporation and Director, Information and Public Relations to immediately find suitable piece of land where the new building of Press Club could be constructed.
Chief Minister,, who was speaking at a function organized by the Press Club Shimla to thank him for providing a sum of Rs 15 lakh for undertaking major renovation works at existing premises of the Press Club and Press Room at the Ridge Shimla.
Chief minister urged the mediapersons not to file reports on “hearsay” and verify the facts before publishing them as reports based on unauthenticated facts damage the reputation of individuals and tarnish their image in the eyes of public.
He called upon the press to maintain balance in reporting and contribute in strengthening social harmony, unity and integrity of the country.
Chief Minister said that the government always had cordial relations with the media which played a pivotal role in the development of the state and also provided feedback to the Government.
Director, Information and Public Relations M P Sood, said that the renovation work of Press Club had been completed by spending Rs 15 lakh and the Press Room had also been renovated.
He said that the Chief Minister had announced Accidental Insurance Scheme for the Media Persons in his budget speech and the department has started its implementation.
Under the scheme, an insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh would be provided to the accredited correspondents and Rs 3 lakh for the recognized correspondents.
He said that with the changing scenario, the department had set up social media cell at directorate level and various initiatives had been taken to disseminate the information speedily to the media.