A.P. govt. moves to resolve journalists’ housing issue in Amaravati

The Andhra Pradesh government has moved to address the long-pending housing scheme for journalists in Amaravati, with Municipal Administration and Urban Development Principal Secretary S. Suresh Kumar assuring representatives of the Amaravati Journalists’ Housing Society that directions would be issued to the Commissioner of the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA), according to a press release issued by the society on Monday.

Mr. Kumar said the proposal relating to the journalists’ housing scheme would be placed before the Cabinet Sub-Committee, the society said.

Members of the society met Mr. Suresh Kumar at the Secretariat in Amaravati on Monday and submitted a legal opinion from a former Registrar General of the Supreme Court. They said the opinion had found no legal impediment to eligible members of the society constructing houses under the scheme.

Mr. Kumar responded positively and said a memo would be sent to the CRDA Commissioner. Necessary steps would be taken in accordance with G.O. Ms. No. 107, which prescribes the procedure for implementing the scheme, he said.

The society representatives also met Information and Public Relations Commissioner K.S. Viswanathan, who said the government was taking steps to resolve pending issues concerning the welfare of journalists.

Mr. Viswanathan said the legal opinion was clear and that the matter would be pursued with the authorities concerned, particularly in view of Amaravati’s special circumstances.

Society general secretary Patibandla Naga Srinivas, founder secretary Chava Ravi and senior journalists Ravi Kumar Boppana, T. Srinath and Nerellakunta Gopi attended the meetings.