Srinagar, July 4 (KNS): The media persons as well as employees of Department of Information and Public Relations Kashmir Division are facing hardships in smooth functioning of press related due to the dilipidated office in a rented accommodation in Srinagar.
" The building is in shabby condition. There is no proper space which an office like prestigious DIPR department deserves," an employee said.
A newspaper owner said that it is very difficult to go the division office many times a day for official work.
" It should be around press enclave where most of the media houses are setup."
An information officer of the DIPR says DIPR office should be established in some secure place
"From day one we have been asking Government to shift our office to some secure place. We are in vulnerable place in Rambagh. We have been taking up this issue with every higher up including our Principal Secretary. We demand our office accomdation back in press building or be accomdated near. Secreteriat. Kashmir division office of DIPR was purposely setup near press enclave so that there is close liason with newspapers and media persons, " an information officer of DIPR said.
The division office of the DIPR was earlier functional from press building in Lal Chowk, however it was asked to vacate the building and was handed over to election commission of India.
" That is a huge space and has parking space for hundred cars. Election commission has occupied only a portion of press building. Rest of it is still available. Government should shift us back to the same building," a DIPR official said.

When KNS contacted Advisor to Lt Governor Farooq Ahmed Khan, he said, " I am aware about the issue. We are in process of finding suitable office accomdation for DIPR which is easily accessible to officials of information and media persons."(KNS)