{"id":23,"date":"2023-05-14T19:18:57","date_gmt":"2023-05-14T13:48:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/?p=23"},"modified":"2023-05-14T22:37:05","modified_gmt":"2023-05-14T17:07:05","slug":"ehju-secretary-attends-10-th-iju-plenary-meeting-held-in-raipur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/?p=23","title":{"rendered":"10th IJU PLENARY SESSION AND ELECTION HELD IN RAIPUR"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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CHATTISGARH, 18 March 2023 : A.K.Rai, Secretary of Eastern Himalayan Journalists Union (EHJU) is elected as National Secretary during the 10th Plenary Session of the Indian Journalist Union held on 17th and 18th March at <\/span>Punjab Keshari Bhavan of Jora in Raipur (Chattisgarh).<\/span><\/div>
The meeting was hosted by Chattisgarh Shramjiwi Patrakar Kalyan Sangh and <\/span>attended by Bhupesh Baghel Chief Minister of Chattisgarh as the chief guest <\/span>A.K.Rai Secretary of the EHJU and National <\/span>Council member representing the EHJU and the state of West Bengal attended <\/span>the plenary session and National Executive Committee meeting.<\/span><\/div>
During the meeting, senior Journalists of Chhattisgarh were felicitated by the <\/span>Chief Minister Baghel. While addressing more than 200 journalist delegates of IJU <\/span>representing 13 states and members of Chattisgarh Shramjiwi Patrakar Kalyan <\/span>Sangh  Baghel stated that the Chhattisgarh Cabinet has given its nod to a bill <\/span>concerned with the prevention of violence against journalists, drafted by the <\/span>concerned committee. The decision was taken during a state cabinet meeting <\/span>held on 17 March 2023, which was chaired by the CM himself. He further stated <\/span>that the Chhattisgarh Protection of Media persons Bill 2023, which aims to <\/span>protect journalists in the state will be placed in the state assembly during the <\/span>budget session with top priority for its enactment. (Note: Later on 22 March 2023 <\/span>the Chhattisgarh Media Personnel Security Bill, 2023 was passed by the Assembly)<\/span><\/div>

<\/b><\/span><\/div>
REPORTS:<\/b><\/span><\/div>
The reports of the president, secretary general, treasurer and different states <\/span>were read, submitted and accepted in the meeting. <\/span>The IJU president Geetartha Pathak in his report said that \u201cjournalists, media, and <\/span>journalism itself have never faced such a formidable challenge as we have been <\/span>experiencing over the last eight years.\u201d<\/span><\/div>
\u201cIJU is relentlessly fighting for the rights of journalists, freedom of media, better <\/span>working conditions for media persons and freedom of speech for all the citizens of <\/span>the country since its inception\u201d.<\/span><\/div>
\u201cThe divisive trend in journalists\u2019 unions is an area of great concern,\u201d he called for <\/span>unity among the journalists of the country for promotion of free press. <\/span><\/div>
\u201cThe IJU is spreading from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, and from the Northeast to <\/span>the Andaman & Nicobar Islands,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/div>
Pathak said also that \u201cjournalism, being a vital pillar of democracy, needs more <\/span>support from the respective state governments and administrations.\u201d<\/span><\/div>
\u201cAlthough a few state governments have come up with medical welfare schemes <\/span>for journalists, many states have not taken any such initiative. Since journalism is <\/span>a profession with risks to lives and health, the government and the media <\/span>employers should put in place compulsory insurance policies for all journalists,\u201d <\/span>he added.<\/span><\/div>
Secretary General Inderjit in her report gave a clarion call to the IJU members and <\/span>the states\u2019 leaderships to \u201cgear up and change their outlook as unions to meet <\/span>new challenges.\u201d<\/span><\/div>
\u201cMedia industry is also going through dramatic changes. We are in the digital age <\/span>now, surpassing print and electronic media, and therefore we need to gear up <\/span>and change our outlook as unions to meet new challenges,\u201d she added. <\/span><\/div>
She expressed concern over the growing attacks on journalists.  <\/span><\/div>
\u201cGovernments, both state and central, used the pandemic to gag the media from <\/span>reporting ground situation. The DMA and the Epidemic Act were brazenly misused <\/span>to clamp down on independent reportage. There is a clampdown on social media <\/span>too with a skewed digital draft policy, which has been challenged in courts. <\/span><\/div>
There\u2019s a chilling effect with FIRs filed or journalists being jailed for their writings <\/span>and posts by using draconian Acts like NSA, UAPA, etc,\u201d she added.<\/span><\/div>
Stating that Indian media is going through its trials and tribulations \u201clike those in <\/span>other countries under nationalist governments,\u201d she exhorted the journalists to <\/span>fight the dangerous trend.<\/span><\/div>
She also highlighted the visit of the representatives of IJU in Oman and formation <\/span>of a new body Federation of Asia Pacific Journalists a new regional organisation of <\/span>the International Federation of Journalists in which she is elected as the founder <\/span>President.<\/span><\/div>

<\/b><\/span><\/div>
ELECTION<\/b><\/span><\/div>
During the plenary Ramkung Pamei, the Chief Returning Officer (CRO) appointed <\/span>by IJU for the election of new office bearers conducted the Election procedure for <\/span>the reconstitution of the union for the next term 2023-25. The election for all the <\/span>posts including the President and Secretary General was completed as per the <\/span>rules.<\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>
The election result was declared by the CRO as follows:<\/span><\/div>

<\/b><\/span><\/div>
President<\/b>– Geetartha Pathak (Assam),<\/span><\/div>

<\/b><\/span><\/div>
Vice Presidents<\/b>– Srinivas (Arunachal Pradesh),<\/span><\/div>
B D Nizami (Chattisgarh),<\/span><\/div>
C Basheer Madala (Kerala),<\/span><\/div>

<\/b><\/span><\/div>
Secretary General<\/b>– Sabina Inderjeet (Delhi),<\/span><\/div>

<\/b><\/span><\/div>
Secretaries<\/b>– Amar Sangno (Arunachal Pradesh),<\/span><\/div>
Sashibhusan (Odissa),<\/span><\/div>
B. Sivakumar (Tamil Nadu),<\/span><\/div>
Pranab Sarkar (Tripura),<\/span><\/div>
Shiv Prakash Gaur (Uttar Pradesh),<\/span><\/div>
Dr. Shailesh Kumar Pandey (Uttar Pradesh),<\/span><\/div>
A.K.Rai (West Bengal) and<\/span><\/div>

<\/b><\/span><\/div>
Treasurer<\/b> \u2013 Asem Bhakt Singh (Manipur).<\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>
NEC Members<\/b>– YS Rajeshwara Rao and C B Mohan Rao (Andhra Pradesh),<\/span><\/div>
Taya Bagang (Arunachal Pradesh),<\/span><\/div>
Sameem Sultana Ahmed (Assam),<\/span><\/div>
Izhar Ahmed and Vijay Landge (Chattisgarh),<\/span><\/div>
Imtiyaz Ahmad Bazaz (Jammu Kashmir),<\/span><\/div>
O P Ismail (Kerala),<\/span><\/div>
Khwairakpam Naoba and K. Saroj kumar Sharma (Manipur),<\/span><\/div>
Saratchandra Bahera (Odissa),<\/span><\/div>
JN Gokul kumar (Tamil Nadu),<\/span><\/div>
Santosh Gope (Tripura) and<\/span><\/div>
Yadav Giri Rao (Andaman & Nicobar).<\/span><\/div>

<\/b><\/span><\/div>
DISCUSSION ON MERGER<\/b><\/span><\/div>
During the plenary, the discussion on merger of IJU with the other Akhouri faction <\/span>of IJU, started from last year was discussed after having had an extended meeting <\/span>attended by its president Vinod Kohli and secretary general S. Sabanayakan. Kohli <\/span>is the President of the Chandigarh-Punjab Union of Journalists and also a member <\/span>of the Press Council of India. Sabanayakan is the president of Indian Journalists <\/span>Association of West Bengal established in 1924.<\/span><\/div>
It was decided that the representatives of the two groups will meet once again <\/span>with no preconditions and a committee consisting of 6 members has been formed <\/span>in this regard.<\/span><\/div>

<\/b><\/span><\/div>
RESOLUTIONS<\/b><\/span><\/div>
In the plenary, few demands to be placed to the government and governmental <\/span>agencies were discussed, and they were: Re starting of railway travel concession, <\/span>free parking, free road toll tax, free medical treatment\/ welfare scheme, pension, <\/span>health and life insurance, constitution of third press commission, passing of <\/span>journalist protection act bill for all journalists in all states.<\/span><\/div>
During the plenary, it passed the following resolutions:-<\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>
The expulsion of Sreenivas Reddy, BS Jammu, Narender Reddy, S.N.Sinha and <\/span>Prem Nath Bhargava on the ground of anti-union activity and indiscipline after <\/span>undergoing all disciplinary measures was approved and confirmed. <\/span>It also made the following amendment in the constitution of the union. <\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>
AMENDMENTS<\/b><\/span><\/div>
Amendment no. A) dated 18 March 2023<\/b><\/span><\/div>
In Rule 22# (a) of the Constitution of Indian Journalists Union<\/span><\/div>
After the second sentence \u201cThe NEC shall determine the \u2026\u2026. their approved <\/span>membership.\u201d<\/span><\/div>
ADD<\/b><\/span><\/div>
\u201c 1 (one) National Council (NC) member for every 150 (one hundred fifty) <\/span>members subject to Minimum 1 (one) and maximum 10 (ten) NC members.\u201d<\/span><\/div>

<\/b><\/span><\/div>
Amendment no. B) dated 18 March 2023<\/b><\/span><\/div>
In Rule 22 # (b) of the Constitution of Indian Journalists Union<\/span><\/div>
Substitute<\/b> the whole sentence by<\/span><\/div>
\u201cThere shall be a National Executive Committee consisting of not more than 27 <\/span>members including the President, 4 Vice Presidents, a Secretary General, 7 <\/span>Secretaries and a Treasurer.\u201d<\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>
Amendment no. C) dated 18 March 2023<\/b><\/span><\/div>
In Rule 22 # (e) of the Constitution of Indian Journalists Union<\/span><\/div>
Substitute<\/b> the whole sentence by<\/span><\/div>
\u201cFour Vice Presidents, seven secretaries, the treasurer and other members of the <\/span>National Executive Committee shall be elected by the members of the National <\/span>Council at the Plenary\/delegate session in the manner and by the rules framed by <\/span>the National Executive Committee.\u201d<\/span><\/div>
\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.<\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>
OTHERS<\/b><\/span><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>
The newly elected office bearers of the NEC took charge of the office and also <\/span>hold a NEC meeting.<\/span><\/div>
The meeting called upon all the office bearers to take their responsibility actively <\/span>and help the Secretary General and the president hand in hand to solve different <\/span>issues of internal as well as external affairs. <\/span><\/div>
It decided to form four regional subcommittees (North East- Amar Sangno and <\/span>Khwairakpam Naoba; North- \u2026. ; Mid India- B D Nizami and \u2026; South India- \u2026.) to <\/span>meet the journalists friends of neighbouring states to invite them to join IJU and <\/span>form affiliate units in their states.<\/span><\/div>
It also resolved to appoint an office staff for the office work of the Secretary <\/span>General.<\/span><\/div>
The next NEC meeting will be held in Agartala of Tripura.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Mr. A.K.Rai, the Secretary of the EHJU was elected as National Secretary\u00a0during the 10th Plenary Session of the Indian Journalist Union held on 17th and 18th March 2023<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":41,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68,"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23\/revisions\/68"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/41"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}