IJU National Executive Meeting begun
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 22 2014 : 'The State Government is committed to implement the recommendations of Majithia Wage Board for the welfare of the journalist fraternity in Manipur'.

This was stated by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh while speaking at the Imphal session of National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of Indian Journalists Union (IJU) which started at the Banquet Hall of 1st Battalion, Manipur Rifles here today.

Besides the chief minister, IJU president S N Sinha, secretary general Amar Devulapalli, Social Welfare minister AK Mirabai Devi, All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) president Wangkhemcha Shamjai and family members of IJU were present at the opening ceremony of the three-day meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Ibobi said, "Members of the IJU, which was formed in 1989, numbering more than 23,000 are well represented in various Central and State Government institutions such as the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Press Accreditation Committees, Press Council of India.

They stand for safeguarding the Freedom of the Press and the rights of journalists by ensuring Freedom of Speech, and also working for the welfare of journalists" .

"I am happy to know that the AMWJU has joined and come under the umbrella of IJU in 2013.I firmly believe that it is a right step.

It will enhance and enrich them enormously.

It will enhance the social and cultural integration of Manipur with rest of the country.

I thank IJU for accepting the AMWJU in the journalist fraternity of the country," he said.

He said, "In response to the demands of the AMWJU my Government has already constituted a Tripartite Committee, in line with the recommendation of the Majithia Wage Board, for working journalists and other newspaper employees.

It has been notified through Gazette already.

Now, this Committee will classify and provide foolproof action plan in accordance with Majithia Wage Board.

My Government is fully committed to implementing the same for the welfare of the journalist fraternity in the State" .

Ibobi said his Government has doubled the Journalist Pension Fund of AMWJU members, apart from raising the grant for the Pension Fund from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh from this year to facilitate proper implementation of the pension scheme.

"My Government is taking positive actions for the welfare of working journalist of the State" .

Despite the financial constraints, the Government has already agreed to set up a Press Academy demanded by the AMWJU in the hope to enhance the quality of journalism in the State.

"We are in the process of setting it up and it is in the pipeline" .

Another demand by AMWJU for establishment of a Press Housing Colony has already been accepted by his Government in principle, Ibobi said, adding the land for this Colony has been identified at Imphal.

IJU president SN Sinha in his speech urged for taking steps to implement the Majithia Wage Board in Manipur by holding tripartite talks by proprietors of all media houses, Government and AMWJU of the state soon.

"Non-implementation of Majithia Wage Board is akin to disregarding the directive of the Supreme Court," he said. He also drew the attention of the Chief Minister for giving a special attention towards protecting the state journalists who are working well by facing many difficult situations.

IJU, the biggest scribe union in the country, is affiliated to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Sinha said, but added that Indian journalists are still facing many difficult challenges.

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