A team of the Utkal Journalists’ Association led by its president Bibhuti Bhshan Kar met Information and Public Relations Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh and submitted a 12-point charter of demands to him on Saturday.
The team urged the Minister to expedite the ongoing identification work of journalists, Government recognition to all eligible scribes and implement Majithia Commission recommendations. The other demands include an annual welfare fund of `5 crore, adoption of a law for safety of working journalists, increase of health insurance amount, waiver of toll fee on NHs, free inter-district journey in buses and trains, post-retirement pension, construction of Sambadik Bhawan in capital city and provision of houses at district headquarters.
While the Minister assured the team that he would consider the demands soon, the team said the association would be forced to stage a dharna in front of the Assembly during the coming Winter Session if the Government doesn’t give a written consent to fulfill the demands.
Among others, UJA national council members Baishnab Charan Jena and Bijay Kumar Panda were present.