Financial sops in line for State scribes
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 29 2013:
The Govt has agreed to increase its budgetary support for maintenance of Manipur Press Club from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.
Besides, the Govt also agreed to increase pension amount under Journalists Pension Scheme from Rs 2000 to Rs 4000 pm.
It also decided to increase the amount of widow pension from Rs 1000 pm to Rs 2000 pm.
Chief Minister O Ibobi assured delegates of AMWJU Standing Committee led by its president W Shyamjai during a meeting held yesterday at CM Office Chamber, according to a statement issued by AMWJU.
Besides former AMWJU president and former Minister, MLA N Biren and MLA K Ranjit, the meeting was also attended by high ranking Government officials including Additional Chief Secretary, RR Rashmi, Commissioner of IPR Letkhogin Haokip, Revenue Commissioner Sunderlal, Additional Finance Secretary Gyan Prakash, Imphal West DC Radhakumar, IPR Director W Rajen and Additional Director Juringla.
The three-hour long meeting that began at 4pm yesterday discussed the charters of demand submitted by AMWJU earlier to the Government.
Besides agreeing to provide one-time grant to regarding free medical aid to journalists as put up by AMWJU in its charters of demand, the Government has also agreed to follow any model being implemented in other NE States in this regard.
Based on submission of Kerala and Andhra Pradesh models regarding the setting up of a Press Academy in the State, the DIPR and AMWJU are entrusted to put up a draft actual modality after due consul-tation.
In case of death of a journalist while on duty, the Govt agreed payment of Rs 5 lakh as ex-gratia besides providing a Govt job to the next of kin of the deceased.
The Govt also agreed to grant Rs 1 lakh to journalists injured while on duty.
The meeting also decided to identify secured location within Imphal for setting up of journalists' housing colony at the earliest.
The Govt also assured to allot press room inside Assembly Secretariat if and when the construction of the new building is completed.
On the demand for completion of Manipur Press Club building, it was agreed to construct additional CGI roofing floor.
Starting the ground work for the construction of Maharaj Kullachandra memorial complex at Mt Herriet, Andaman and Nicobar Island was also among the agreement reached during the meeting, the statement said.
The Chief Minister has instructed the AMWJU representatives to discuss other demands like increasing the number of DIPR press cards, conducting external press tour, press accredited card with the DIPR.
He further assured to allot/attach press rooms at existing Govt offices at Moreh and Jiribam.