KCR wants to teach a lesson to TV9, ABN
WARANGAL: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao strongly criticised two television news channels here today for allegedly "tarnishing" the image of Telangana people.
Since June 16, the transmission of TV channels ABN Andhra Jyothi and TV 9 were blocked by the Association of Telangana Multiple System Operators (cable TV operators), alleging that these channels had aired programmes "denigrating the Telangana dialect, sentiment and feelings" of the people of the newly carved out state.
"I salute multiple system operators who stopped transmission of the two television channels. If they (TV channels) do not mend their attitude, I will teach them a lesson," the Telangana Chief Minister said.
Earlier during the day, he garlanded the statue of Kaloji at Nakkalagutta where TV9 and ABN Channel staff waved placards demanding that the ban on their channels be lifted.
Later, the police arrested about 25 journalists and took them to Subedari police station. They were later released.
The Telangana Assembly had also passed a resolution earlier, authorising the Speaker to initiate any action as he deemed fit against TV9 for airing an alleged "objectionable programmes" and "belittling comments" about MLAs.
Rao laid the foundation stone of the proposed Kaloji Narayana Rao Cultural Centre to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 12 crore on a 3.5-acre plot at Balasamudram today, on the occasion of his birth centenary celebrations.
Speaking on the occasion at the National Institute of Technology Auditorium, Rao said the cultural centre would be developed with an auditorium with a seating capacity of 5,000.
The centre would have a huge statue of Kaloji and a library, where the Kaloji Foundation's office would be located, he said.
Kaloji was a great poet and literary critic who fought for the people's cause and considered people's problem as his own problems, Rao said.
Telangana government would recommend to the central government to release a postal stamp in the name of Kaloji. The state would also establish a university in the name of Kaloji, he said.
Rao also announced that Rs 10 lakh would be deposited in the name of the Kaloji Foundation. Interest accruing on that amount would be paid to Kaloji's kin, whose financial condition was not good.
News Posted: 10 September, 2014
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