Biswajit hands cheque to late scribe's wife
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, September 06 2019:
Information and Public Relations Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh handed over a cheque amounting to Rs 2,00,000 to Mrs Lalremsiem Joute, wife of late Joseph Joute, Co-editor, Hmasawnna Thar under Manipur State Journalist's Welfare Scheme at the conference hall of the New Secretariat today.
Addressing the media, the Minister stated that under the initiative of the State Government, Manipur Journalist Welfare Scheme was implemented in 2017, to provide a one-time financial assistance to the accredited and recognized journalists of Manipur for one time ex-gratia relief on urgent basis to journalists and their families.
Biswajit continued that till now Rs 5,00,000 has been given as ex-gratia and medical financial assistance to three journalists from the hill districts and a total of Rs 12,00,000 has been given as ex-gratia and medical financial assistance to nine journalists from the valley districts.
A total of Rs 17,00,000 has been utilised from the interest incurred from corpus fund of Rs 10 crore, he added.
Keeping in mind the various hardships the media fraternity face while discharging their duties, the department has approved 98 applicants for enrolment in the Manipur Working Journalist's Pension Scheme, 1996.The Minister also lauded the contributions of media fraternity and informed that the State Government is trying to increase the pension amount for pensioners at the earliest.
He maintained that the Government is targeting to complete construction of office building of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations located at Keishampat, by December this year.
He also informed that the department has got approval for increasing cash award for Best Editor from Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000, from this year.
Today's function was attended by Commissioner IPR Kh Raghumani Singh, Director IPR Heisnam Balkrisna Singh, Assistant Publicity Officer (Press) Km Tenshubam Sangeeta and other officials of the directorate.