Bhubaneswar: A five-member delegation of the National Journalists Welfare Board met Odisha Governor Braj Mohan Ram at Lok Bhavan Thursday and urged him to take up the issue of a pension scheme for journalists with the state government.
During the meeting, the delegation discussed various professional and welfare-related issues faced by journalists in the state, with the demand for a pension scheme being the key concern. The representatives pointed out that nearly 21 states across the country have implemented pension schemes for journalists, while their counterparts in Odisha continue to remain deprived of such benefits.
They urged the Governor to draw the state government’s attention to the issue and facilitate an early decision on extending pension benefits to journalists in Odisha. Governor Ram patiently heard the delegation’s concerns and expressed surprise over the fact that journalists in Odisha were not being provided pension benefits.
He assured the delegation that he would soon bring the matter to the notice of the state government, along with other professional and welfare-related issues concerning journalists.
The delegation comprised National Journalists Welfare Board general secretary Sanat Mishra, state president and Odisha Bhaskar editor Pradosh Pattnaik, vice-president Pradyumna Kumar Mohanty, senior adviser to the board Rajaram Satapathy and S A Manan.
