Former ABP news anchor Punya Prasun Bajpai, who, along with 25 other people had joined TV news channel Surya Samachar just a little over a month back, were informed on Tuesday evening that they will be laid off by the end of the month.
The media must be free and fair, uninfluenced by corporate or state interests. That's why you, the public, need to pay to keep news free.
ContributeAn HR circular titled “Disassociation with the company” said: “As per the decision of the management we notify you that your services has been disassociated with the company. Please consider 31st March 2019, as your last working day.”
The circular also stated that “all your payments will be cleared after obtaining dues clearance.”
Newslaundry also learnt that Prasun’s contract with Surya Samachar is for a tenure of six months. According to a source who also received the same HR circular, Prasun had assured everyone in a meeting that all of them, including himself, would be leaving on March 31, 2019, so that everyone’s salary is released on time.
When Newslaundry reached out to Prasun for comment, he was unavailable. When we reached out to the Human Resource Department, we were told to reach out again in a bit. The copy will be updated once we receive a response from both or either of them.
General elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have ambitious plans together to focus on the issues that really matter to the voter. From political funding to battleground states, media coverage to 10 years of Modi, choose a project you would like to support and power our journalism.
Ground reportage is central to public interest journalism. Only readers like you can make it possible. Will you?