Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja held a pivotal meeting with senior journalists at Lok Seva Bhawan today to discuss pressing issues related to their welfare and professional challenges.
The dialogue, attended by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Industry, Information & Public Relations Department, Hemant Sharma, and the Director of the Information & Public Relations Department, Anuj Kumar Das Pattnaik, aimed to foster a supportive environment for the state’s media fraternity.
Ahuja underscored the vital role of print, electronic, and social media in strengthening democracy, stating, “The media is a cornerstone of our democratic framework, and their welfare is a priority.”
The meeting addressed key demands raised by journalists, including the enactment of a Journalists’ Protection Act, pension provisions for senior journalists, streamlined accreditation processes, and equitable distribution of government advertisements to newspapers.
A significant focus was on simplifying the issuance of identity cards for journalists to access Lok Seva Bhawan and enhancing benefits under the Journalists’ Welfare Fund. To improve awareness of health insurance benefits, a follow-up meeting with the Third Party Administrator (TPA) of the insurance provider was planned.
The government highlighted its ongoing efforts, noting that 7,486 journalists are enrolled in the Gopabandhu Journalists’ Health Insurance Scheme. Between 2021 and 2024, Rs. 4 lakh was provided as compensation to the families of 80 deceased journalists, while Rs. 15 lakh was disbursed to the kin of 49 journalists who succumbed to COVID-19.
Senior journalists, including Bhagabata Tripathy, Sanat Mishra, Pitabas Mishra, and Pradyumna Kumar Mohanty, participated in the discussions, offering valuable suggestions to improve media support systems.
The Chief Secretary assured that the government would take concrete steps to address the concerns raised, signalling a renewed commitment to the welfare of Odisha’s journalists.
