Bhubaneswar, June 8, 2018: A day after the State Government announceda series of sops for working journalists, including a one-time financial assistance
of Rs 4 lakh to the family in case of death of media person, Chief Minister
Naveen Patnaik on Friday assured a delegation of journalists of implementation
of pension scheme for them.
“I will certainly look into the demand for pension scheme,” said
the CM while responding to a memorandum submitted to him by a 30-member delegation
of Odisha Union of Journalists (OUJ) led by its president Prasanna Kumar
Mohanty.
the CM while responding to a memorandum submitted to him by a 30-member delegation
of Odisha Union of Journalists (OUJ) led by its president Prasanna Kumar
Mohanty.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government is fully
committed towards the welfare of journalists in the State and their families.
committed towards the welfare of journalists in the State and their families.
The first-of-its-kind sops which were announced on Thursday are
likely to benefit more than 5,000 journalists and their family members. The announcement
comes months ahead of the next year’s Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
likely to benefit more than 5,000 journalists and their family members. The announcement
comes months ahead of the next year’s Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
As per the announcement of the State Government, working
journalists will now get a one-time financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh in case
of permanent incapacitation while education assistance will also be provided to
children of deceased working journalists at Rs 1,500 per month till Class-X and
Rs 2,500 per month for higher studies.
journalists will now get a one-time financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh in case
of permanent incapacitation while education assistance will also be provided to
children of deceased working journalists at Rs 1,500 per month till Class-X and
Rs 2,500 per month for higher studies.
In addition to the recently implemented Gopabandhu Health
Insurance Scheme under which working journalist can get Rs 2 lakh annual help,
the Government also announced an additional assistance of critical illness
where expenditure exceeds Rs 2 lakh under the health scheme. The additional amount will be provided following an
approval by the State Directorate of Medical Education and Training.
Insurance Scheme under which working journalist can get Rs 2 lakh annual help,
the Government also announced an additional assistance of critical illness
where expenditure exceeds Rs 2 lakh under the health scheme. The additional amount will be provided following an
approval by the State Directorate of Medical Education and Training.
Further, three per cent interest subvention of up to Rs 25
lakh house building loans and also for four wheeler loan up to Rs 4 lakh and Rs
50,000 for two wheeler loans will be provided by the State Government annually
after repayment of regular installments with interest by the loanee
journalists.
lakh house building loans and also for four wheeler loan up to Rs 4 lakh and Rs
50,000 for two wheeler loans will be provided by the State Government annually
after repayment of regular installments with interest by the loanee
journalists.
Training programme having a duration staring three
days to two weeks for 25-35 journalists will be provided within the State
institutes like IIMC and the Government will bear the training costs upto Rs
10,000 for five years.
days to two weeks for 25-35 journalists will be provided within the State
institutes like IIMC and the Government will bear the training costs upto Rs
10,000 for five years.
The financial benefits will be provided from the Odisha Working Journalist Welfare Fund under which Rs 5 crore is earmarked every year.
