Govt announces slew of benefits for working journalists in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government on Thursday announced the implementation of scores of benefits for working journalists in the state.

Information & Public Relation (I &PR) Minister Pratap Jena declared a slew of benefits for the working benefits.

Jena said that the working journalists will get a death benefit of Rs 4 lakh and top up financial assistance with DMET approval in addition to Health Insurance benefit for the critical illness where the expenditure exceeds Rs 2 lakh under the Health Insurance Scheme.

The Minister also said that 3% interest subvention up to 25 lakhs house building loans.

Subvention will be released annually after repayment of regular instalment with interment by the loanee journalists, he added.

“The journalists will get a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh in the event of permanent incapacitation and %3 interest subventions for four wheeler loan up to Rs 4 lakhs. Subvention will be released annually after repayment of regular instalments with interest by the loanee journalists,” informed the Minister.

Highlights of the other Major Benefits:

• A death benefit of Rs 4 lakhs to the working journalists.
• Top up financial assistance with DMET approval in addition to Health Insurance.
• Benefit for the critical illness where the expenditure exceeds Rs 2 lakhs under the Health Insurance Scheme.
• 3% interest subvention up to Rs 25 lakhs house building loans. Subvention will be released annually after repayment of regular instalments with interest by the loanee Journalists.
• 3% interest subvention for four wheeler loan up to Rs 4 lakhs. Subvention will be released annually after repayment of regular instalments with interest by the loanee Journalists.
• Financial assistance of Rs 2 lakhs for the journalist in the event of permanent incapacitation.
• 3% interest subvention for two wheeler loan up to Rs 50, 000/- subvention will be released annually after repayment of regular instalments with interest by the loanee Journalists.
• Educational assistance to the children of deceased working journalist will be provided @ Rs 1500/- per month till 10th and @ Rs 2500/- per month for higher studies.
• To facilitate 3 days/1 week/2 weeks training of minimum 25 and maximum 35 Journalists within the State in Institutes like IIMC, training cost up to Rs 10.000/-per journalist will be borne by Government in a block period of 5 years.