For scribes working under COVID-19 threat CM assures ex-gratia of Rs 5 to 10 lakh
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 01 2020: Chief Minister N Biren has stated that necessary procedure would be initiated to grant an ex-gratia of Rs 5 to 10 lakh in case any working journalist or individual working in media houses dies of COVID-19 .

Representatives of AMWJU and the Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) held a meeting with the Chief Minister today about the risks and problems being faced by media persons on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chief Minister stated that the Central Government has already announced an insurance scheme for COVID-19 frontline workers viz; doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and health care workers under which Rs 50 lakh would be given if any one of them dies of COVID-19 .

But the Centre's insurance scheme does not cover police personnel, media persons, Government employees and members of civil society organisations who are also actively engaged in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

The State Government has already discussed about doing something for these categories of people who are not covered by the Central insurance scheme, Biren said.

He said that a scheme would be launched under which an ex-gratia of Rs 5 to 10 lakh would be granted if any media person or any other person engaged in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic dies of the contagion.

The Chief Minister stated that the Cabinet would discuss the matter and adopt an appropriate decision.

The AMWJU and EGM representatives pointed out that many Imphal-based newspapers have reduced the number of pages due to several difficulties and problems created by the pandemic.

They told the Chief Minister that newspaper firms have been facing a very difficult situation and they would not able to continue the daily publication if the pending bills of different Government departments are not cleared urgently.

The Chief Minister assured that necessary procedure would be initiated soon to clear the pending bills.

He instructed Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu who was also present at the meeting to initiate necessary action for clearing the pending bills.

The Chief Secretary said that he would ask heads of departments concerned today itself to take up necessary steps for clearing all pending advertisement bills.

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