Shri Naveen Patnaik, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Odisha, BHUBANESWAR
NEW DELHI: Indian Journalists Union (IJU), the premier organisation of media persons in the country, wrote a letter to Shri Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Government of Odisha, thanking him and his government for bringing the Odisha State Working Journalists Welfare Fund Rules-2020 by an order No.IPR-PM-MISC.0099-2018\10708\I&PR dated 26-11-2020 for providing ex-gratia of Rs.4 lakh to the family of the deceased Working Journalist, financial assistance of Rs.2 lakh in the event of permanent incapacitation on account of accident, disease or any other reason etc.
The new Welfare Fund of Working Journalist in addition to the existing Health Insurance scheme provided additional financial assistance for the treatment of major diseases. The new rule had also provided low interest rate loan for building house, purchasing vehicles etc., for Journalists.
The IJU also took this opportunity to request the CM to implement the Journalists Pension Scheme which his Government had announced in the State Assembly some time back. Pension scheme would be of great help for retired Journalists.
The IJU was sure that The Odisha Chief Minister would take necessary steps to fulfill the promise on the long pending demand of Odisha Union of Working Journalists and the Journalist community in Odisha in general for a pension scheme.
B.R. Prajapati, President & G. Prabhakaran, Secretary General, IJU), New Delhi, November 28, 2020.