'Policy Matter': Rajasthan High Court Dismisses Plea For Declaration Of Unaccredited Journalist As Frontline Health Workers

A Division Bench of Justices Sabina and Manoj Kumar Vyas observed that the same is a policy matter that has to be decided by the executive and the Courts need not interfere in it.

In March 2021, the Rajasthan Government gave accredited journalist the status of frontline workers/ covid warriors and included them in the insurance scheme for ex-gratia payment of Rs. 50,00,000/-. However, the benefit does not extend to non-accredited journalists and media personnel reporting from the ground.

The Petitioner had urged that, dependents of unaccredited journalists should also be given the benefit under this scheme, in case such journalists die during service.

The plea demonstrated a situation how two colleagues working in the same organisation, on the same post and carrying out the same work are being treated differently only for the mere reason that one is accredited and the other is not; it reads that "there is no parity and it is violative of Article 14".

Non accredited journalists/media persons have legitimate expectations from the Government to be treated equally with the accredited journalist/media person. It is the duty of the Respondent to look and make laws that provide equality among the same nature of people, the plea stated.

However, the Court observed,

"After hearing learned counsel for the petitioner, we find that no ground for interference by this Court, while exercising writ jurisdiction, is made out, as the issue involved in the present case relates to a policy decision, to be taken by the respondents. Dismissed."

Case Title: Vivek Singh v. State of Rajasthan

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