The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Sunday demanded that the State Government enact a Journalists Pension Act to provide pension to elderly scribes in lines with some other States.
Union Odisha chapter president Rabi Rath has written letters to the Chief Minister, Information and Public Relations Minister and the Chief Secretary in this regard.
“The State Government has stated many times that a proposal to provide pension to journalists is under active consideration. Earlier Chief Ministers like BJ Patnaik and Biju Patnaik had made such promises. However, the proposal has not yet been materialized. As many as 12 States are now providing pension to journalists,” mentioned Rath.
He reminded that earlier a committee headed by the then I and PR Minister Debashi Nayak had recommended pensions for journalists over 60 years age having worked for about 15 to 25 years.
If the State Government provides a monthly pension between Rs 5,000 to Rs 10, 000, about 200 elderly journalists can be benefitted.
“The Government should enact a Journalists Pension Act and pay pensions to eligible scribes soon,” urged Rath.