Free bus passes for rural journalists: Srinivas Nayak Indaje in selection panel

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, January 8, 2025: Senior journalist Srinivas Nayak Indaje, president of the Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists Association, has been appointed as a member of the state-level committee established by the government to oversee the distribution of free transport bus passes for rural journalists.

The initiative was first announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the state budget, offering free bus passes for rural journalists to travel within district limits for professional purposes. Following the announcement, the government issued an order to implement the scheme and formed a nine-member selection committee to review applications and sanction the facility.

The committee, chaired by the Commissioner of the Information and Public Relations Department, comprises representatives from various journalist associations, including the Karnataka Working Journalists Association, Bangalore Reporters Association, Karnataka Small and District Newspapers Association, and the Bangalore Photojournalist Association.

Notable members include Shivananda Tagadoor (State President of the Karnataka Working Journalists Association), senior journalist M. Chandrashekar (representing the Bangalore Reporters Association), H.L. Suresh (representing Karnataka Small and District Newspapers Association), Mohan Kumar (representing Bangalore Photojournalist Association), and Gangadhar Bandihal as a special invitee. Srinivas Nayak Indaje has been appointed for a two-year term as part of this committee.

The Deputy Director of the News and Press Branch of the Information and Public Relations Department will serve as the Member Secretary of the committee. This team will play a pivotal role in ensuring the scheme’s effective implementation and facilitating travel for rural journalists in government buses.