Srinagar, Feb 22 (KNS): The journalists of Jammu and Kashmir are denied accommodation at the JK House in Delhi despite completing all requisite formalities.
One of the journalists said that he completed all formalities to get accommodation at JK House Delhi. “I also got letter from Information Department and also sent scanned copy of identity card. Once I went there, they denied me accommodation,” the journalist said. “I even raised this issue with officials of information and protocol department but to no avail,” he added.
Another journalist too shared same vows. “Even political workers are provided accommodation there but journalists are denied. I recently went Delhi related to my work but had to hire room at a local hotel,” another journalist said.
KNS received number of complaints from scribes that they were being denied accommodation at JK House. “What is the fun having accreditation when we are not provided accommodation at JK House in need as per the rules? It seems JK House is meant for families of politicians and bureaucrats,” a group of journalists said.
They urged Governor to look into the matter and ensure the journalists are provided accommodation at JK House Delhi.
Jammu and Kashmir House in Delhi is being run by department of Hospitality and Protocol. Situated in Chankya Puri, New Delhi, the JK House has three Blocks, A B and C comprising of 57 rooms, four VIP suits and 38 residential quarters.
It has also become an inaccessible facility for the common state subjects particularly for the patients who are being referred to Delhi for treatment.
Sources said that its C-Block is meant for deserving people of Jammu and Kashmir who go for treatment to New Delhi. “But the C-Block remains occupied with political workers, relatives of bureaucrats and other employees,” an official said.
The official said that government has adopted a VVIP culture at the J&K House. “If a sick person from the state or having cancer, has urgent need for room, he is being denied any such facility. Actually, the C-Block is meant for such people but being denied,” the official said.
The official said that Block-A and B has been confined to only VVIPs. “The JK Guest House has been confined to VIPs and VVIPs. The common people who have an urgent need are being denied any such facility.” The official said that even Ex-MLAs and MLCs are being treated as VVIPs.
Various complainants have said that even if they are allotted any rooms after waiting for days together, there are no facilities available to the guests. “The primary and important requirement of the people arriving in Delhi is accommodation,” the official said.
“We went to New Delhi last month. As it is one of the most expensive cities in India, we gave priority to a room at JK House. However, we were disappointed as the officials said that all rooms are occupied with the relatives of VIPs,” Ali Mohammad, a resident of Rajbagh said. He said that the occupants were relatives of politicians.
However, officers including Principal Secretary Hospitality and Protocol, Residential commissioner couldn’t be contacted for the comments.
Meanwhile, Jammu Kashmir Editors Forum (JKEF) Friday condemned the apathetic actions of the JK House New Delhi in Chanakyapuri, wherein authorities refuse to provide accommodations to journalists at JK House New Delhi under one pretext or another.
In a statement, JKEF said the attitude of the authorities at JK House New Delhi is ‘biased and discriminatory’ against journalists. “While JK House authorities easily provide accommodations to bureaucrats, politicians and other powerful people, it denies the same to journalists who are given one pretext or the other,” statement said.
Journalists and editors aren’t given hassle free accommodation at JK House in Chanakyapuri New Delhi and are made to suffer, JKEF said.
Jammu and Kashmir Information Deptt which is meant for the well-being of journalist must take cognizance of matter and bring this grave concern before authorities of the state who are at the helm.
They demand that journalists and editors be given hassle free accommodation and stay at JK House. (KNS)