Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 11: With an aim to further improve the conditions of journalists, Press Club Jammu (PCJ) has demanded various welfare schemes for both accredited and working journalists of the State.
President PCJ Ashwani Kumar and finance secretary Dinesh Manhotra met Financial Commissioner BB Vyas yesterday and submitted him a memorandum seeking incorporation of these schemes in next year’s budget.
Ashwani Kumar explained that Journalists working in strife torn Jammu and Kashmir are facing hardship as there is no welfare scheme for scribes. Quoting the example of neighbouring State, he said that Himachal Pradesh High Court in its order and Press Council of India have recommended schemes for safety of Journalists in all States as per norms of Government of India.
“Several State Governm-ents, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Andhara Pradesh, Tamil Naidu and Maharashtra have already created Journalist Welfare Fund”, he added and demanded that similar schemes should be initiated in Jammu and Kashmir.
He suggested that the State Government can create this Fund by making one time investment of Rs 2 crore. “In the event of untimely death of a working or accredited journalist or in case a journalist gets incapacitated, his wife or legal heir or dependents may be provided assistance from this Fund” added Ashwani.
PCJ also urged Financial Commissioner to create Health Insurance Plans to treat serious ailments of an accredited/ working journalists and their family members, spouse and two children below 21 years of age.
The State Government should also take decision to implement the Accident Insurance Scheme upto Rs 10 lakh for accredited and working journalists. Under this scheme also, the State Government should contribute 75 percent of the premium amount and rest by the journalists, the PCJ president said.
PCJ also demanded permanent pension of Rs 20,000 per month under Pension Scheme for accredited and working journalists with at least 20 years of experience.
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