Bhubaneswar: The state government is likely to come out with a policy soon for providing pension to journalists in Odisha. Three committees have been formed by the government for the purpose. These committees will visit other states to understand the process and modalities and subsequently submit a report to the government for further action.
While speaking at the golden jubilee celebration of the Odisha Union of Journalists (OUJ), Manas Mangaraj, media advisor to the government, confirmed this development and added, “The state government is also considering increasing the insurance cover for journalists.”
Claiming that till now the government has no clear policy for journalists of web portals, the official said, “A draft policy in this regard has been prepared and will be soon sent to the Law department and will come into force after Cabinet’s approval.”
On the incident related to journalists and doctors at Malkangiri, Mangaraj said a committee to probe the incident would be constituted and on the basis of its report further action will be taken.
The need for pension to scribes was first mooted by the OUJ in 2018. A memorandum was submitted to CM Naveen Patnaik by a 30-member delegation of OUJ led by its president Prasanna Kumar Mohanty in 2018.
“I will certainly look into the demand for pension scheme,” the CM had then said responding to plea.
“The state government is fully committed towards the welfare of journalists in the state and their families,” the CM had said.
