Indian Journalists Union (IJU) president Devulapalli Amar presented a booklet to BJP president Amit Shah that had the details of 220 journalists who had died since the formation of Telangana, which he alleged, was due to work stress and denial of medical benefits by the Telangana Government.
Mr. Shah, who was addressing the press conference invited Mr. Amar to the stage to receive the book. The booklet was prepared by the Telangana Union of Working Journalists (TUWJ). Mr. Amar said the average age of journalists who died was 46 years. Of them, 76 died of heart attack and 10 of brain haemorrhage. He said 90% were overworked and underpaid and the Government should earmark 5% of the advertisement revenue for the welfare of journalists.
After the press conference, Mr. Shah said the BJP would study the booklet and include the suggestions made for the welfare of journalists in their manifesto.
