States to go by Delhi model in implementing Wage Board wages for scribes, non-scribes

New Delhi : President of the Indian Federation of Working Journalists K Vikram Rao has urged the state governments to follow the Delhi government in implementing of the Wage Board wages for journalists and non-journalists, already endorsed by the Supreme Court.

Hailing Delhi Rural Development Minister Gopal Rai for strict implementation of the Working Journalists Act which includes jail term for defaulters in implementing the act, he rued that successive governments for the past several years have been patronising the newspaper owners.

‘Defying press freedom, these newspaper owners have taken complete control over the functioning of the scribes,’ Mr Rao observed.

Indian Federation of Working Journalists Vice-President Gopal Misra stated that the organisation has also taken cognisance of the fact that in national dailies, journalists are required to report to the marketing department.

‘Scribes work as bonded labourers as they are hired on contracts and are made to sign on declaration that they are receiving wage board salaries,’ Mr Misra lamented.