Srinagar, Aug 29 (KNS): The Anjuman-e-Urdu Sahafat Jammu and Kashmir, while expressing dissatisfaction over the functioning of the present office bearers of the Aiwan-e-Sahafat Kashmir (Press Club), said that the present administration of the Aiwan-e-Sahafat should discharge its constitutional responsibilities for safeguarding the interests of journalists.
In a statement issued to the KNS, the spokesperson of the Anjuman, referring to the discussion held at the executive committee meeting of the association recently, said that the people who were voted by the journalists for representing them hav utterly failed to discharge their duties. He said instead of ensuring transparency and accountability in Aiwan Sahafat, the present office bearers have made the whole club suspicious.
Anjuman alleged that the Aiwan Sahafat (Press Club) has become a breeding ground for lobbying and personal likes and dislikes. According to the spokesperson, all the members in the executive committee meeting expressed their indignation over the fact that the people at helm in club have not only become inaccessible but they are holding themselves above the accountability to anyone.

The spokesperson said that the meeting expressed outrage over reports that since last one and a half year, the club management has not disposed of the membership forms pending for nearly two years and about 300 applications are gathering dust in a locked cupboard of the club building. Members also expressed strong reservations over reports that although more than 30 such applications for membership have been approved but no details of such applications have been made available nor has the present administration bothered to publicise the new list of approved membership through a notice in keeping with the high values of transparency and the Constitution.
The meeting, according to spokesperson, also expressed surprise over the concealment of information regarding the use of the welfare fund, saying that if there is nothing to hide the present administration of club should provide accurate information to other club members which is their constitutional right.
The association also raised concerns over the rates of food items in the press club canteen, saying that although the purpose of the club canteen was to make quality food items available to journalists at discounted prices, the club's current rates are either equal to or higher than the market rates.
The meeting, as per spokesperson, also asked the present management of the Aiwan Sahafat to bring transparency in their work and make themselves available for accountability instead of considering themselves as a supernatural force as the club is not the personal property of any individual.

Anjuman also appealed all fellow journalists to hold the current officials accountable in the wider interest of the club without fear of bullying so that the discipline of the club can be restored and it can moved to its goal.(KNS)