GUWAHATI, July 28 - Senior journalist DN Chakravartty, who is also president of the Journalists Association of Assam, while complimenting Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his �most ambitious and welfare-related, lengthiest Budget,� and thanking him for announcing the release of Rs 30 crore in respect of arrear advertisement dues, expressed his regret �for the total neglect shown to the long-standing demands of the working journalists of the State.�
Drawing attention of the Finance Minister to the memorandum submitted by the association to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on May 23, Chakravartty said that the association, among other things, had demanded enactment of a journalist protection Act and provision of land and housing facilities for the homeless working journalists of the State.
Chakravartty requested the Finance Minister to impose a particular condition restricting the release of advertisement funds to the newspaper houses making it obligatory for them to provide some amenities to journalists as well as granting them salary as per recommendations of the wage boards, as seconded by the Supreme Court of India.
