Over 200 Journalists Accorded Accreditation In Odisha, Says Minister

Bhubaneswar: More than 200 journalists have been accorded accreditation by the state government in Odisha.

This was stated by Information and Public Relations Minister Pradip Kumar Amat in reply to a question by legislator Dhruba Sahu in the Assembly on Tuesday.

Giving details about accredited journalists, the minister said accreditation has been given to 137 journalists at state-level, 25 at district level and 44 freelancers under Odisha Press Accreditation Rules 1994.

The minister further said the government has extended financial help to 140 working journalists from Odisha Working Journalists Welfare Fund. Similarly, 8,932 journalists have benefited from the Gopabandhu Working Journalist Health Insurance scheme of the government this year, he added.

The government has also made several provisions of financial assistance to working journalists including Rs 4 lakh for death, monthly educational allowance for children of deceased scribes, Rs 15 lakh for those who die during COVID duty, the minister said.