Bhopal, 7 September : Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that journalists are the vigilant sentinels of democracy; without them, nation-building is impossible. When you continuously work in the service of the nation and society, it is the duty of the government to recognise your contribution and take care of you, and we have always made efforts for this goal. A committee will soon be formed in Madhya Pradesh for the Journalist Protection Act, and on the basis of their suggestions, the Journalist Protection Act will be brought into the state.
Chief Minister Chouhan’s Speech at Patrakarita Samagam
Chief Minister Chouhan was addressing the Patrakar Samagam programme organised at his residence on Thursday. On this occasion, he made several announcements to the journalists. He said that now the amount of assistance given by the government for treatment to journalists will be increased. During this, he claimed that even after the elections, ‘we’ are going to be there, but all these provisions will be completed before the elections; later, only ‘we’ will do the work of taking them forward.
Boost for Journalists: Patrakar Bhavan in Bhopal
He said that a new Patrakar Bhavan equipped with state-of-the-art facilities will be built in the capital, Bhopal. It will be given the status of a state media center. While announcing this, the Chief Minister said that the honour fund for senior and elderly journalists is being increased to Rs 20 thousand. On the death of journalists who receive the Samman Nidhi, a lump sum of Rs 8 lakh will be given to the family. The limit for the housing loan grant scheme for accredited journalists will be increased to Rs 30 lakh.
State Government to Cover 5% Loan Grant for Journalists’ Kids
He said that the state government will bear a five percent grant for the loan for the education of the children of journalists for five years. The state government will bear the amount of premium increased by the insurance company. The government will bear the insurance premium of journalists over 65 years of age and their spouses. The date of the insurance application has been extended to September 25. The provision of financial assistance for general and serious illnesses will be increased for accredited journalists. He said that efforts will be made to solve the housing-related problems of journalists. The Chief Minister said that the government will provide land to journalists to build houses.
