Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Thursday announced a grant of Rs. one crore for setting up of new Press Club building in Shimla.
He directed the Mayor, Municipal Corporation Shimla, Deputy Commissioner, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Shimla, Director, Information and Public Relations to immediately find suitable piece of land where the new building of Press Club could be constructed.
The Chief Minister 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 of existing Press Club premises.
Virbhadra Singh said media has played a pivotal role in the development of the State and simultaneously providing the feedback to the Government. He exhorted the media to always present balanced news based on facts. He said government had given adequate budget for providing required facilities to the Press Clubs not only at the State headquarters but also at District and Sub Divisional levels.
Director, Information and Public Relations Dr. M.P. Sood, said that the renovation work of Press Club had been completed by spending Rs. 15 lakh. He said that on the directions of the Chief Minister, the department had also renovated Press Room at the Mall road at a cost of Rs. 5 lakh to facilitate the media. He said Chief Minister had announced to start Accidental Insurance Scheme for the Media Persons in the State in his budget speech and the department had started the same.
Sood said 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. He said that a draft proposal of new press accreditation rules is also under active consideration of Government to facilitate the media persons particularly the electronic media in the changed circumstances.