Bhubaneswar: Following the amendment to the Odisha State Working Journalists Welfare Fund Rules-2006, working journalists will get can get loans of Rs 50,000 for two-wheeler and Rs 4 lakh for buying four-wheeler at 3 per cent interest rate.
According to the sub-rules of Rule-7(1), they can also avail house building loan up to Rs 25 lakh at 3 per cent interest rate.
These financial benefits are in addition to an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh which the family of a working journalist will receive in event of his/her death.
A journalist whose name is submitted/ recommended by the DIPRO through the collector concerned can avail the benefits under Odisha State Working Journalists Welfare Fund Amendment Rule-2020.
They and their family members will be covered for treatment of heart, kidney, cancer or other critical illness under Health Insurance Scheme benefits with DMET approval if the medical expenditure exceeds Rs 2 lakh.
Besides, they will get financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh in case of permanent incapacitation due to accident, disease or any reason.
In case of death of a working journalist, children of deceased will be provided financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per month till matriculation and up to Rs 2,500 per month for higher education.
This recurring financial assistance will be provided limiting to actual tuition fee and expenditure towards study materials.
The state government will also bear the training coat in premier media institution like IIMC up to Rs 10,000 per journalist in a 5-year block period.
