In Davangere, Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated on Saturday that the request for providing free bus passes to journalists in rural areas is under serious consideration for the upcoming budget. He assured that a decision favoring this demand will be made. Speaking at the 38th state journalists’ conference organized by the Karnataka Working Journalists’ Union, Siddaramaiah expressed the government’s commitment to supporting journalists.
Acknowledging the call for complimentary bus passes for rural reporters on government buses, he said, “We will evaluate this request during the upcoming budget deliberations and implement suitable measures.” Siddaramaiah also highlighted the government’s recent increase in family pension for journalists from Rs 6,000 to Rs 12,000. Additionally, he mentioned the recognition of newspaper hawkers with the Rajyotsava Award.
The chief minister urged journalists to maintain objectivity, truthfulness, and dedication in their reporting, emphasizing the importance of being the voice for the voiceless. He advised against giving credence to superstitions. Siddaramaiah recalled a past incident when a crow perched on his car, leading to speculations and debates in news studios about its potential impact on his political career. Despite such superstitions, he emphasized that he completed an uninterrupted five-year term, becoming the only chief minister after Devaraj Urs to do so.
