Notwithstanding the criticism on his pro-Telangana stand and allegations of his failure to secure adequate publicity in the national media, the YSR Congress party government on Friday granted cabinet rank to senior journalist Devulapalli Amar, who was recently appointed as advisor, national media and inter-state affairs.

Amar, who was recently sanctioned a total pay and allowances to the extent of nearly Rs 3.8 lakh per month, will now be treated on par with a cabinet minister in terms of protocol and security.

He has also been provided accommodation for his offices in Andhra Pradesh Bhavan, New Delhi and also in Lake View Guest House, Raj bhavan Road, Hyderabad. Besides, he will have a separate office at Secretariat in Amaravati.

Amar has been allotted a private secretary — P Raja Sekhar, presently working as Divisional PRO in the Office of Commissioner, Information and Public Relations on deputation basis with immediate effect.

He was also given additional facilities and perks as required in the new office.

Sources said similar facilities would be extended soon to another veteran journalist K Ramachandra Murthy, former editorial director of Sakshi, who has recently been appointed as advisor to the chief minister on public policy. Orders to this effect would be issued soon, sources said.

Already, there has been a lot of criticism against both Amar as well as Ramachandra Murthy that they had grabbed the posts meant for Andhra journalists, though they belonged to Telangana.

But since Jagan has promised them the posts, nobody could do anything, except giving vent to their grievances through social media.