The National Journalist Welfare Board (NJWB), Odisha Chapter has urged Governor Dr SC Jamir to direct the State Government to fulfil all legitimate demands of working journalists in the State.
A team of NJWB led by president Pradosh Patnaik submitted a memorandum to the Governor recently demanding early identification of journalists and provision of insurance cover for them and their family members pertaining to their safety and economic security and also health mediclaim.
Besides, they demanded that all journalists be provided transport passes for free journey in both Government and private buses as difficulties in transportation is a major hindrance for them to discharge their duties.
Informing that some accredited journalists have been provided with Government accommodation in the State Capital, the board too requested Jamir to ask the State Government to provide quarters to the rest of the accredited journalists.
The other demands include incorporation of a chapter mentioning contact numbers and addresses of working journalists in the Telephone Directory prepared by the Secretariat Raj Bhawan and provisions of pension for veteran journalists for their economic security as is given By State Governments of Bihar, Jharkhand, Utter Pradesh and West Bengal.
Among others, vice-president Pradyumna Kumar Mohanty, general secretary Sanat Mishra and senior journalists, Baishnab Charan Jena, Bibekananda lenka and Ajit Kumar Mohanty were present.