Vyas suspends effect of his ministry’s ‘anti-journalism’ circular

Gujarat Health Minister Jaynarayan Vyas today instructed state Health Secretary to maintain status quo on Health department’s 16 February circular on banning reporters entry in Health department premises including hospitals, medical colleges and offices without permission. He also directed his department to issue a fresh circular mentioning that the effect of 16 February circular would remain suspended as of now.

Vyas gave above direction to his department on phone in presence of group of journalists gathered in his office to protest the dictatorial circular. Vyas told senior journalists that he would sit with them this week to discuss possible amendments in circular.

Angry during initial part of talk, Jaynarayan was cooperative in later part of discussion. A memorandum demanding cancellation of circular in question was submitted to Minister by Gandhinagar Press Club.

Earlier all senior reporters covering Gujarat Vidhansabha boycotted question hour of proceeding. This was perhaps for the first time in the history of Gujarat Vidhansabha that not a single seat was occupied in press gallery. Media persons shouted slogans against Health minister opposing his novel circular outside his office in Gujarat assembly complex.

Journalists had planned series of steps against the minister such as boycott of govt releases, govt press conferences etc(Vyas is official spokesperson of Gujarat govt), however as the Minister declared circular suspended, a group of journalists resumed coverage of assembly proceeding with satisfaction of being victorious.

Earlier in the morning, journalists burnt copy of circular in question in Ahmedabad’s Civil hospital. Similar protests were also carried out at other places in the state.

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Media persons fight health dpt’s ban, burnt copies of circular