That United News of India, UNI, would run into financial crisis was reported in 1983 ::: "fear lurks in the minds of 700 employees" ... yet nothing was done

When I joined UNI at the fag end of circa 2016; things were already bad and it was well known in the market. But my 'survival' became difficult first with 'The Statesman' in 2014-15 - the credit goes to a 'huge donkey' and his ability to manipulate things. Nevertheless, then came a fine day when I was out ... there were a few others. 

Incidentally, the "donkeyness" had reached its peak and he too was shown the door a  few years later. 

So I was offered pea-nuts in UNI.  During those days, I remember Late Arun Jaitley stating at a seminar, "When you pay pea nuts, you get monkeys".

Prior to that I was with the IANS for a few months - precisely a few months and thanks to one 'Swamy ...." -- he made things extremely difficult. His problem was unique. He had inferiority complex even with a teenager and he would try to give a message that he was running the show all alone. He created problems for middle-aged sincere and professional fellows so that there would not be any threat to his position in the organisation.

And he too met the proverbial destiny and a few days later was 'out'. 

In UNI and I had a good boss Ms Naz Asghar.

But on financial matters, she could hardly do anything. The crisis in UNI was actually forthcoming. An old issue of 'Suraya India' magazine (Feb 1-15, 1983) issue had detailed reports about the agency standing "on the verge of a financial crisis".

 Whenever I joked with Ms Naz and gave her assurance about my professional commitment - "You can bank on me"; - she would retort "Niren, but UNI does not have much in its bank account".  

Now what did the 1983 report say ?

"The agency (UNI) which had a profit of Rs 7 crore in 1975 is now losing Rs 10 lakh a year since 1978 despite a three-fold increase in revenue".  It also spoke about other matters -- some of it were found existing in many other news organisations. 

"The prime reason for its present financial crisis is said to be wasteful expenditure....," the Surya magazine article said. It also reported:

"The Sports services is incurring heavy losses. UNI-Varta (Hindi) started in May 1982 with much fanfare, is reportedly losing more than Rs 15 lakh per month. Gulf News Service is another losing revenue - Rs 6 lakh per year".  

Please figures of losses in lakhs were of 1970s and 1980s when a lakh meant a huge amount. 

UNI's problems even during my stint was the Hindi service. The unnecessary competition the Hindi colleagues had for English unit spoiled the show even during my stint. The Hindi unit had reluctant workers and they would repeatedly show dislike for taking up assignments outside city.

I can name colleagues who despite repeated instructions declined to cover 2018 elections in Karnataka and other states such as Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.  

The 'Surya' magazine also had reported:

"The payment for subscription of UNI service by five-star hotels is also misused. The payment for this service is made partly in cash and partly on short credit vouchers which goes on accumulating. This credit facility with the five stars, it is alleged, is being misused in the name of entertainment, accommodation etc".  

The Provident Fund norm was misused even those days apparently. This vice later cropped up in other news organisations too. 

The 1983 article says:

"Provident Fund contributions particularly that of employer's have not been regularly deposited for the last three years".