Itanagar, Jan 7: A joint delegation of the Arunachal Press Club (APC) and the Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) on Wednesday called on Chief Minister Pema Khandu and discussed key issues relating to journalists’ welfare and institutional strengthening of the media in the State.
The delegation, led by APC president Amar Sangno, met the Chief Minister at his office and comprised representatives from various district press clubs. The delegation submitted a three-point memorandum, urging the State Government to expedite the implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Working Journalists’ Pension Scheme (APWJPS)-2020. Although the scheme had received Cabinet approval, it has remained stalled due to objections at the bureaucratic level.
The APC president stated that the APWJPS-2020, announced in the 2019–20 State Budget and discussed extensively with the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), has suffered from a prolonged delay, causing concern among journalists across the State.
The memorandum also sought formal recognition of five APC-affiliated district press clubs—Ziro, Aalo, Raga, Pasighat and Seppa—to strengthen grassroots journalism and streamline official communication at the district level.
To ensure effective dissemination of information, the delegation further appealed to the government to issue official directions to district administrations so that all press conferences, media interactions, workshops and related activities are coordinated through the respective District Press Clubs (DPCs). While such a mechanism is being followed at the State level through APC and APUWJ under a government order issued in October 2024, the organisations pointed out that it is yet to be implemented uniformly across districts.
Additionally, the delegation requested the allotment of land or space for DPCs, noting that many district press clubs are currently functioning from rented premises without permanent infrastructure.
Responding to the delegation, CM Khandu appreciated the vital role of the media in disseminating government programmes and policies and in serving as an effective bridge between the administration and the people. He assured the representatives that the issues raised would be examined at the earliest.
The Chief Minister further observed that although the roles of the media and the government may differ, their shared objective remains the collective pursuit of a better society, a stronger Arunachal Pradesh and a stronger nation.
Describing the interaction as encouraging, APC president Sangno said the meeting concluded on a positive note and expressed hope that the demands raised by APC–APUWJ would be addressed soon.
The meeting was attended by APUWJ general secretary Sonam Jelly, presidents and general secretaries of various district press clubs, Secretary (Planning) R K Sharma, PRO to the Chief Minister Jambey Kochi, Deputy Director (IPR) Denga Bengia, among others.