SRINAGAR: Jammu Kashmir Press Association (JKPA) on Monday urged the administration of to restore broadband internet services to media houses in Kashmir valley so that journalists can perform their professional obligations freely at their respective offices. An official spokesperson of JKPA said that the Executive Members of association on Monday held an emergency meeting under the Chairmanship of GH Kaloo today and discussed issues confronting Media Houses in J&K in general and Kashmir Valley in particular. “We feel that I continued blockade of broadband facility right from August 5, 2019 has placed Media Houses in a quandary,” Kaloo said in a statement issued here. He said there was no doubt, the Information Department provided internet facility at a Hotel first and then at Pologround though journalists have been facing umpteen hardships due to overcrowding and low speed. “Hence releasing Broadband facility to Media Houses has become unavoidable. We urge the government to lift the blockade immediately to enable Journalists to perform their professional obligations freely at their respective offices,” he said. He said media houses are also facing hardships since the Joint Director Information’s (JDID) office was shifted from M A road at Rambagh. “Travelling to the office located in Rambagh is not only cumbersome but sometimes impracticable due to traffic congestion,” he said. Therefore, he said shifting of the office in the neighborhood of Press Enclave is highly desirable to render movement of Editors to JDID office hassle-free. “Besides the release of payment on account of advertisements is pending for the last four months, which has brought Media Houses face to face with severe financial hardships and as such the Director DIPR is requested to release the same without any further procrastination,” he added.

KR Desk