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One Nation, One Pension Scheme Like Defence Personnel
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Plea to introduce a comprehensive healthcare scheme on par with central govt staffers
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Demand for interim relief with effect from 2017 & setting up of new wage board
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Accreditation for scribes from print, electronic and digital
R ARIVANANTHAM
AHMEDABAD, JULY 13
A five-member team comprising Jayshankar Gupta, Prasanna Kumar Mohanty, LC Bhartiya, Kingshuk Pramanik, and Dr Khaidem Athouba Meitei from the Press Council of India recently concluded a three-day visit to Gujarat, where they engaged with various media organizations – Gujarat Journalists Union, state information department, newspaper owners & editors, and media personnel.
During their visit, the team meticulously reviewed the current challenges faced by newspapers in Gujarat, including issues related to accreditation, and welfare measures for journalists.
At the State Govt Circuit House in Shahi Baug, on Thursday the GJU delegation led by President BR Prajapati submitted a memorandum to the PCI team head Jayshankar Gupta seeking a slew of demands like one nation, one pension and accreditation card et al.
“Our visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modiji had granted ‘One Nation, One Pension’ to the army personnel to boost their morale. On the same analogy, we urge you to prevail over the Central Government and the respective state governments to implement ‘One Nation, One Pension’ for all those covered under the Working Journalists Act, a Comprehensive healthcare scheme, interim relief with effect from January 2017, setting up of a new wage board which is very much over due, enhancing the retirement age to 65 years and housing scheme, access to Defence canteen to media persons and other welfare measures,” the GJU memorandum said.
PM hails media as positive force multiplier
According to our visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modiji, “An aware and well-informed society is fundamental for a healthy democracy. In this mission of strengthening democracy, the media plays a crucial role, by taking a variety of news and perspectives to the people. Indian democracy too, has been enriched by the work of media. Beyond the realms of policy and politics, the media has also been a positive force multiplier when it comes to mass movements for social welfare.”
Visit of Tamil Nadu journalists led by Joint Director, PM’S communication cell, PIB
Thiru Arun Kumar, IIS, Joint Director, Prime Minister’s Communication Cell, Press Information Bureau had led a team of senior journalists from Tamil Nadu for studying the development of Vibrant State of Gujarat in February this year and disseminate the same so that entire nation can emulate them.
During the interaction the journalists had with the Honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat, Thiru Bhupendrabhai Patel and the senior officials of the state Information Department, the senior journos also informed about the various socio security welfare measures, including pension, available in all Southern states. Incidentally, they extend these schemes to all journalists covered under the Working Journalists Act, including mofussil journalists, the backbone of rural India.
Thiru Bhupendrabhai Patel had shown keen interest to know about them so that it can be replicated in Vibrant Gujarat.
It is pertinent to note that the GJU had made a representation to the Honourable Prime Minister to implement ‘One Nation, One Pension’ for journalists through Thiru Arun Kumar, IIS, Joint Director, Prime Minister’s Communication Cell, Press Information Bureau on February 19, 2023 in Ahmedabad. The same is enclosed for your kind reference.
Parliamentary Panel Moots National Policy
We also reproduce the report dated February 8, 2021 of Dr Shri Virendra Kumar, Chairperson, Committee on Petitions, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Seventeenth Lok Sabha for your kind perusal.
“Representation of Shri Manohar Singh and others regarding introducing reforms in journalism in the country and other issues related therewith.
The report in Para 2 (iii) states that “SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL SECURITY OF SENIOR CITIZEN JOURNALISTS: Some states like Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Assam etc have provided pension to journalists on attaining the age of 60 years. However, there is a need to frame a National Pension Scheme, in consultations with the organisations of working journalists/media professionals, for all working journalists in a view to providing them SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL SECURITY.”
With an aim to further improve the living standard and conditions, the safety of journalists and strengthen the Fourth Pillar of democracy, we, Gujarat Journalists Union (GJU), state’s oldest and largest journalists union seeks to implement various welfare schemes, including pension to carry out their duty without any fear or favour, for all journalists of Gujarat State.
It is pertinent to note that journalists working in the model State of Gujarat are facing hardship as there is no welfare scheme for scribes whereas 33 States, including the Union Territories, most of them run by the NDA led by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
GJU has been making many a representations in this regard to the Gujarat Government by mail as well as in person for the last six years but no concerted efforts has been taken son far.
We would like to remind you that the then Honourable Chief Minister, Thiru Vijaybhai Rupani, had promised to look into our demands at the 60th-anniversary celebrations of the GJU and the national summit of the IJU held at Vadtal, Anand on June 1, 2019.
Further, Thiru Nitinbhai Patel, the then Honourable Chief Minister, Government of Gujarat had vide his letters dated 29th November 2018 and 27th December 2018 ordered the Information Department to study our demand and file a report for its proper implementation.
To our utter dismay, no concrete action had yet been taken to study and implement the same.
It is pertinent to note that a delegation of GJU led by president Thiru B R Prajapathi had already submitted a memorandum in this regard on September 23, 2021 immediately after the coronation of Thiru Bhupendrabhai Patel as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
The GJU delegation had again met the CM on December 5, 2021 at the CMO in this regard. The CM has promised to look into the matter after the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2022.
Majority of the State Governments ruled by the NDA and others, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Tripura, Manipur, Goa, Kerala, Telangana, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim have already created Journalist Welfare Fund and introduced monthly old-age pension scheme. Even the Union Territory of Puducherry, NCR Government in Delhi have introduced monthly pension scheme and health care facilities for journalists.
In order to create an atmosphere of safety and security for journalists and their family, we demand that similar schemes should be initiated in Gujarat also.
It is suggested that the State Government can create this Fund by making a one-time investment of Rs 100 crore or more on the lines of the Telangana Government.
One Nation, One Pension Scheme Like Defence Personnel
Keeping all the above facts and the vital role played by the journalists, we demand an inflation-linked pension of Rs 35,000 per month be paid under Old Age Pension Scheme for all working journalists, including mofussil correspondents, with at least 20 years of experience. In case of death of journalist, his/her spouse may be extended the same pension as is being done in Haryana, one of the BJP-ruled states.
It is pertinent to note that Arunachal Pradesh, one of the smallest states with a population of less than 20 lakh, is paying Rs 25,000 monthly pension, the country’s highest, to senior journalists and various welfare measures for all working journalists. Our neighbouring state of Madhya Pradesh has doubled the journalists pension from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000. Being the Model State of the country, Gujarat Government ought to implement a better pension scheme without any further delay.
Further, considering the old age and its related issues additional pension of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% with DA may be granted on attaining the age of 70, 80, 85 and 90, respectively, under this scheme.
Plea to introduce a comprehensive healthcare scheme on par with central govt staffers,
As of now, all retired and working Defence personnel, the Central Government staffers are eligible for taking treatment under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) while in service or after retirement. Considering the contribution of the journalists in nation building, a National Medical Insurance Scheme for journalists and their family members linked with CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) be introduced at the earliest.
Demand for interim relief with effect from 2017 setting up of new wage board
The interim relief for the print media was granted with effect from Jan 2008 under the Majithia Wage Board. Since 16 years have passed, we urge your honour to prevail over the Labour Ministry to grant 40 per cent interim relief with effect from January 2017 and constitute a New Wage Board which was long over due.
Plea to extend the defence canteen facility to journalists
We also urge the Union Government to extend the Defence Canteen facility to all journalists who are toiling inside the nation like Defence forces are guarding the country at the borders.
Housing scheme for scribes
Reservation in allotment of plots/houses/flats for journalists in all government schemes for rental or outright purchase etc is need of the hour to enhance their working conditions.
Accreditation for scribes, print, electronic and digital
It is needless to say that digital media has grown into a great influence and the fastest mode of propagation for the government. In recognition of the vital role played by the digital media, we urge you to prevail over the Central Government and the respective state governments to grant accreditation card to the digital media, including the YouTubers, who have registered with the Ministry of Information and the respective state governments. And also veteran journalists having over 30 years of experience and aged 65 years and above ought to be given the accreditation cards.
The PIB and the state information departments should consider issue of Accreditation Card to regional journalists from print, electronic and digital who are regularly covering central government functions/events/programs.
Granting of govt advts to small print, electronic and digital
Unlike the major media houses, small print, electronic and digital media houses (https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000381146) do not get government support in the form of advertisement. A national policy onreleasing advertisements to tiny/small/medium online media houses on a regular basis by the concerned DIPR and regional PIB offices based on DAVP rates are need of the hour.
Enactment of stringent law to protect scribes to work fearlessly
In the wake of increasing attack on journalists from anti-socials, mafia, we urge you to prevail the Centre to enact stringent law to protect scribes to work fearlessly.
We hereby urge your honour to prevail over the Central Government and the State Government to consider all our demands and take appropriate measures to implement the same at the earliest.
The GJU delegation comprising Vijay Mehta, R Manickavasagm, RR Goswami, Anil Varma, Ramanlal Prajapati, JP Meva, Paresh Mehta and Surendra Pande was also present at the meeting
