Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand today announced that the monthly pension for journalists under the DIPR Journalist Pension Scheme would be increased from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 10,000, while the family pension would be raised from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,000.
Addressing the 52nd Foundation Day celebration of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal, Khemchand said the proposed revisions, along with other measures concerning the journalist pension scheme, would be placed before the State Cabinet for consideration.
The Chief Minister also indicated that a one-time relaxation could be considered for journalists who were unable to make the required contributions to the pension scheme during the prolonged conflict in the state. Such a measure, he said, would enable eligible journalists whose pension accounts became inactive due to non-payment of contributions during the crisis to seek reactivation.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of prolonged disruption caused by the conflict, which has affected the functioning and livelihood of various sections of society, including the media fraternity.
Khemchand also highlighted the impact of the crisis on the state’s finances, stating that the prolonged conflict had resulted in a decline of more than Rs. 1,200 crore in Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue between 2023 and 2026. The revenue shortfall, he said, had placed considerable pressure on the state economy.
He appealed to civil society organisations and other stakeholders to refrain from resorting to bandhs and blockades, saying such actions had a wider impact on economic activity and development. He called for collective efforts to create conditions conducive to economic recovery and development in the state.
On pending advertisement payments to newspapers, the Chief Minister said advertisement bills amounting to around Rs. 1 crore had been disbursed. He added that a follow-up meeting with the Heads of Departments had been scheduled for September 25 to further examine pending matters relating to government advertisements.
Earlier, Khemchand, along with members of the AMWJU, paid floral tributes at the AMWJU Memorial Stone at the Manipur Press Club in memory of journalists who had passed away.
The Chief Minister’s announcements on journalist welfare, particularly the proposed pension revision and one-time relaxation for contribution defaults during the conflict period, are subject to formal consideration by the State Cabinet.
The programme was attended by MLA Khongbantabam Ibomcha, Secretary (Information and Public Relations) Neeta Arambam, Director (Information and Public Relations) Dr Th. Charanjeet Singh, Editors’ Guild Manipur President Khogenra Khomdram, AMWJU President Asem Bhakta Singh, officials, journalists and members of the journalists’ union.