NEW DELHI: The Kerala Government has introduced a welfare scheme for mofussil journalists for the first time in the country. They are now included in the cultural workers welfare scheme that include pension scheme also.
For the last 20 years KJU and IJU were demanding the introduction of a credible welfare scheme for mofussil journalists. It was stoutly opposed by KUWJ.
“We were demanding a separate welfare board but due to financial crisis the Kerala Govt decided not to start any new welfare board. Then we talked to the cultural minister, Sri A.K. Balan who advised us to get the consent of the Chief Minister, Sri Pinarayi Vijayan. We took up the matter with the CM when he visited Palakkad a few days back,” elaborated IJU secretary general G. Prabhakaran.
Though the Left Democratic Front, led by CPI (M), had included welfare scheme for mofussil journalists in their election manifesto, it could not be implemented due to opposition from media owners and the KUWJ. But on Wednesday the Govt included mofussil journalists in the existing cultural workers welfare board under cultural minister Sri Balan.
Mr Balan helped include us in the welfare scheme under his ministry. I met the CM when he visited Palakkad last week and submitted a letter on the matter, the IJU secretary general said.
During the budget discussion the finance minister, Sri T.M. Thomas Issac, announced in the Assembly about the welfare scheme for mofussil journalists who are the backbone of media.
The IJU and the KJU express their gratitude to the Kerala Government.
G. Prabhakaran, Secretary General, IJU, NEW DELHI. JAN. 20, 2021