In a significant step towards addressing media sector concerns, Chief Secretary Anu Garg met with leaders from the Indian Union of Working Journalists (IUWJ) and Odisha Union of Working Journalists (OUWJ) today at the Secretariat. The discussion focused on key demands raised by the fraternity.
Senior officials present included Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Deorajan Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Information & Public Relations) Hemant Sharma, Director Anuj Kumar Das Pattnaik, Director (Technical) Gurbir Singh, and other senior department officers.
Representing the journalists were IUWJ National President Pitabas Mishra, Odisha State President Bhagabat Prasad Tripathy, Bhubaneswar Unit President Hrushikesh Mohanty, and OUWJ Vice President Rabi Ray.
The journalists presented several proposals, including:
- Implementation of a pension scheme for the financial security of journalists.
- Restructuring and revival of the State Accreditation Committee to grant official recognition to working journalists.
- Greater facilities and fairer distribution in government advertisement allocations.
- Streamlining the process for issuing identity cards to journalists.
Chief Secretary Garg attentively reviewed all the points raised and assured the delegation that the issues would be examined thoroughly, with necessary follow-up actions taken in due course.
The meeting reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to supporting the media community, building on earlier discussions around social security measures for journalists in Odisha.
