Sambalpur: Chorus has grown for fulfilment of the long-standing demand of pension for journalists with the Senior Journalists Association holding a zonal conference at the Journalists’ Building under the aegis of Sambalpur District Journalists Association.
Journalists from Sambalpur, Baragada, Jharsuguda, Debagada, Subarnapur, Balangir and Boudh attended the conference Sunday seeking pension for retired and soon-to-retire journalists. District Journalists Association president Subas Chandra Panigrahi presided over the meeting, while retired journalist Arjun Ranjan Panda was chief guest.
Association state President Kahnu Charan Nanda said pensions were essential to prevent financial hardship among journalists. They would strengthen journalism’s credibility and encourage younger people to enter the profession, he said.
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Nanda said pension schemes for retired journalists have been introduced in about 19 states and Union territories and urged Odisha to provide similar benefits. The scheme remains unimplemented in Odisha.
The association has discussed the issue with the government since 2022 and approached the Orissa High Court, which directed the state to introduce a pension scheme. After the directive was not implemented, the association filed a contempt petition. On June 23, the high court gave the government three months to resolve the issue.
Odisha Senior Journalists Association vice president Pradipta Choudhury, general secretary Ashutosh Behera, senior adviser Devendra Singh, organising secretary Biplab Mohanty, executive committee members Diptimayee Kar, Amareswar Das and Kuntala Behera attended the meeting. District Journalists Association Vice President Kishore Sahu introduced guests.
