Journalists under the banner of the Bhubaneswar District Journalists’ Association on Sunday demanded that the State Government set up a welfare board for the journalist fraternity immediately.
At a special meeting of the association held at the Utkal Sambadika Sangha office here, the scribes said while the State Government is earning brownie points by forming welfare board for labourers, journalists despite working for the interest of the society are being the neglected in the State.
As the newsmen are covered under the labour laws, it would be appropriate to align all journalist bodies with the labour Department, opined Utkal Sambadika Sangh State president Jimuta Mangaraj.
“While in other State, journalists are entitled to many facilities like pension, health insurance, quarter, etc, the State Government is yet to do the same. A welfare board should be established to provide security to journalists”, said association president Chitta Patnaik.
Over 200 newsmen participated in the meeting. Among others, MlA Bijay Mohanty, labour leader Naba Kishore Mohanty, Utkal Sambadika Sangh general secretary Benudhar Panda and senior journalist Bankim Chandra Nayak were present.