To honour the contribution of the fourth pillar of democracy and to provide support to the family members of scribes who died of COVID-19, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday handed over a cheque of Rs 10 lakh as a financial aid at an event organised at Lok Bhawan.
Expressing condolences for those journalists who succumbed to COVID-19, the Chief Minister said, “ We have witnessed many editors, journalists, and the members of the media fraternity who came under the grip of the coronavirus and lost their lives while fulfilling their duty. The loss can not be fulfilled but we can provide support to the families.”
For the same,the government has made different announcements from time to time and stood for every destitute in the state. Our government is committed to provide all support to journalists and will continue to encourage them, he added.
The chief minister was also accompanied by President of National Broadcast Association and India TV Editor-In-Chief Rajat Sharma.Families of a total of 55 journalists received the financial assistance of 10 lakh each which includes senior journalist of Times of India Lucknow and former bureau chief of India today Subhash Mishra and TV today journalist Rohit Sardana also
Praising the efforts of journalists, the CM added, “the media did the work of sharing the true and factual news in the time of crisis, on the basis of which the government got an opportunity to prepare a strategy and successfully implement it in a time bound as well as planned manner”.
“While we controlled the first wave, we also started the vaccination program for the health workers, corona warriors along with the media as it is a vigilant watchdog of democracy. After having a word with Rajat Sharma and on his suggestion we started special vaccination booths for media persons in Lucknow and Noida”, said the CM.
“Over 25 thousand journalists were vaccinated during the drive,” the chief minister said.
Regarding vaccine wastage in Uttar Pradesh, the Chief Minister informed, “The Prime Minister had asked me about the vaccine wastage status in the state and also gave suggestions to bring it down to zero. In one vial, we started vaccinating 11 people to completely stop the wastage”.
Vaccines are available in sufficient quantities in the state, and the speed with which the vaccination program is going on, the government will be able to cover everyone soon in the state, he added.
Addressing the event, India TV Editor-In-Chief and Chairman Rajat Sharma paid his tributes to those who lost their lives due to the coronavirus pandemic and expressed sympathy with the families of the deceased.
Speaking upon the vaccination policy for journalists, Rajat Sharma said he called up Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to press for the vaccination of journalists.
“As NBA president, I approached UP CM Yogi Adityanath for vaccination of journalists and their families, he assured me of all help and within a few days, a vaccination drive was organised in Noida. I thank Yogiji on behalf of all the media fraternity,” Rajat Sharma said.
