Source: Hueiyen News Service
Shillong, August 25 2009:
The Meghalaya Government today constituted the Journalist Welfare Fund which is seen as a welcome step to alleviate the life of journalists in the State.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma announced this, today, after the cabinet meeting.
He said that the modalities are being worked out before its final notification.
The fund envisages a one time ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 lakh to the next of kin of a deceased working journalist.
Furthermore, there will also be a one time grant of up to Rs 50,000 to a working journalist on account of disability in the line of duty.
Also, during illness, a journalist can avail a one time grant of up to Rs 50,000.Besides these, a working journalist can also avail of a one time grant of up to Rs 20,000 in case of sudden ailment.
The above financial assistance can be availed by working journalists who have completed certain amount of years in service and the respective amounts are the ceiling limit.
Dr Sangma also informed that the government has constituted a committee to administer the fund to be headed by the Commissioner and Secretary, IPR of the State government.