Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Pramila Mallick on Friday said she is quite aware of the demands and grievances of the journalists in the State and she would impress upon the State Government for addressing them.

Addressing the 26th biennial session and foundation day of the Odisha Union of Journalists (OUJ) here, she said she would also pursue with the government the demands of pension to scribes after retirement and making a law on the protection of journalists.

“I’m aware of the demands, including pension, for the scribes and enactment of the proposed Journalists’ Protection Act. I will try to see that these demands are met,” said Mallick.

National Union Journalists (India) president Ras Bihari, while expressing his satisfaction over the OUJ’s persistent fight of journalists’ rights and commitment for the society, said the NUJ (I)’s continuous fight for various rights resulted in many States announcing pension for scribes and enacting laws for protection of journalists.

OUJ president Prasanna Kumar Mohanty said the Odisha Government has fulfilled many demands of the scribes and hoped that the other grievances would be met soon.

Mohanty also demanded lifting of the restriction on the entry of journalists into the State Secretariat.

Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Tusharkanti Behera, Rajya Sabha member Munna Khan, MLAs Ananta Narayan Jena and Suresh Kumar Routray, OUJ general secretary Ashok Kumar Nanda also spoke on the occasion.

Eight journalists were felicitated for their meritorious performances. The included Lakshmidhar Mohapatra, Thabir Samal, Jagdish Dash, Swati Jena, Shubhadarshini Mishra and Naveen Sahu.

Senior journalist Akshaya Kumar Sahoo welcomed and introduced the guests.