Hyderabad, Apr 27 (IANS): The Telangana State Media Academy has decided to provide Rs 2 lakh each as financial assistance to the families of journalists who have died of Covid-19 in the state.

Academy chairman Allam Narayana said on Monday that 200 journalists infected by Covid-19 will also be provided assistance.

He said the decision was taken in view of the intense second wave of the pandemic. During the last 10 days, 15 journalists have succumbed to the virus.

The Telangana Union of Working Journalists and other journalists' unions had made representations to the Academy, seeking financial help for the families of scribes who died of Covid and also to journalists who have tested positive.

Narayana said for the Rs 2 lakh assistance, applications have to be submitted to the Academy before May 10. Families of the deceased have to submit certificates of death due to Covid from the concerned district medical and health officer, accreditation card, Covid positive report and also a letter from the district public relations officer concerned.

He advised the journalists' unions to obtain the necessary certificates on behalf of the families of the deceased.

The Academy chairman said that immediate financial assistance is also being provided to 200 journalists who have tested positive.

He also urged the state government to recognise the journalists as frontline warriors and set up special Covid testing and vaccination centres for them.

The Academy also requested the government to provide special healthcare facilities in hospitals for journalists infected by Covid.