DIPR
Imphal, Aug 7,
Information & Public Relations Minister Thongam Biswajit handed over the first ever financial assistance to 3 (three) media persons at his office chamber on Monday. The assistance was provided under the Manipur State Journalists Welfare Scheme (MSJWS), Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Manipur. The scheme, launched formally on 30th June, 2017 at City Convention Centre, Imphal by the Chief Minister is an important programme of the new Government’s 100 day’s achievement.
The three media persons availing the benefits of the scheme are (Late) G. Muanthang, Senior Correspondent, Churachandpur, Information Service Television Network (one time ex-gratia amounting to Rs. 2,00,000/-), Nepram Tombi Meitei, Ex-Staff reporter, Sangai Express (medical assistance amounting to Rs. 1,00,000/-) and Th. Thangzalian, Editor/Publisher, Lamka Post (medical assistance amounting to Rs. 1,00,000/-).
While handing over the cheques to the media persons, Minister Th. Biswajit said that the Government is acknowledging the hardships and dedication of the media persons. The important role being played by this fourth estate is necessary more than ever in this fast changing world. This Government recognises the immense contribution which is why the scheme was launched as an important programme of the new Government’s 100 day’s achievement, he added.
For the scheme which was formally launched on 30th June, 2017, the Government made a contribution of Rs. 10,00,00,000/- (Rupees ten Crores) towards the Corpus Fund of the Manipur State Journalists Welfare Scheme on 5th May, 2017. The Scheme provides one time financial/medical assistance to Journalists and their families. The Scheme is constituted under the Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Manipur and is administered by a Committee and the Committee reserves the right to reject or accept any application without assigning any reasons to the applicants. Assistance would be extended depending on the Committee’s satisfaction regarding the eligibility/merits of the cases and the financial resources available for the purpose. A Journalist shall be eligible for relief from the Scheme, provided that – He/She is a citizen of India, He/She is ordinarily resident of Manipur, He/She should be accredited to the Govt. of Manipur and Journalists who are not presently accredited to the Government shall also be eligible for relief from the Scheme if they have been journalists as defined under these guidelines for a minimum period of ten continuous years.
The assistance available under the scheme is upto Rs 2.00 lakh may be provided to the family under extreme hardship on account of death of the journalist, upto Rs 2.00 lakh may be provided to the journalist in case of permanent disability rendering the journalist incapable of earning a livelihood, upto Rs 1.00 lakh may be provided towards the cost of treatment of major ailments such as cancer, renal failure, heart ailments requiring by-pass/open heart surgery, angioplasty, brain haemorrhage and paralytic attack, any of the ailments which is permissible for full re-imbursement under the medical re-imbursement facility of the Government. This would be subject to the medical expenditure not being covered under CGHS, or any other insurance/departmental health schemes, etc. However, relief under this provision is available to the journalist only upto the age of 60 years and upto Rs 50,000 may be provided in case of accidents causing serious injuries necessitating hospitalization. This would be subject to the medical expenditure not being covered under CGHS, or any other insurance/departmental health schemes, etc.
H. Balkrisna Singh, Director, IPR, Tenshubam Sangeeta, APO (Press), DIPR, and staffs of DIPR also attended the programme.
