Shillong, Aug 28: The state government is proposing to implement the Meghalaya Journalist Welfare Scheme 2024 which will include cashless treatment for journalists, said Information and Public Relations Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh while replying to a query raised by BJP legislator from South Shillong Sanbor Shullai.
Shullai had demanded the need to enhance the journalist welfare fund by 100 per cent in the Assembly.
Lyngdoh informed the Assembly that the proposal to implement the Meghalaya Journalist Scheme 2024 is at an advanced stage and will come as a relief for journalists across the state as the Journalist Welfare Scheme 2009 was a little outdated when compared to other states.
The minister said the government is proposing to increase the journalist fund to Rs 35 lakh while considering that Rs 5 lakh (corpus fund) is too meagre. “It is a 500% increase in the case of death of journalists while the fund for medical treatment will be increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 3 lakh,” she informed.
Encouraging journalists to register with the Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS), the minister also announced that a proposal for cashless treatment for journalists is in the making.
According to the minister, steps are being taken to ensure that journalists earning less than Rs 15000 are covered under the Provident Fund scheme.
She further announced the government’s decision to provide housing facilities for journalists.
Meanwhile, the minister also informed that the government is planning to come up with few laws to curb and hold accountable circulation of false information.
