Maharashtra to soon initiate Pension Scheme for the Journalists, says CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra to soon initiate Pension Scheme for the Journalists, says CM Fadnavis

Mumbai, April 11, 2017: Maharashtra to soon initiate pension scheme for the journalists, as declared by the CM Devendra Fadnavis in the Legislative council of the state. While responding to the Calling attention motion moved by Congress member Sanjay Dutt, the Maharashtra CM said "the government is positive about a pension scheme for journalists and is studying the pension schemes of other states who are implementing them. We will soon be initiating it (scheme) in our state as well."

Earlier, Dutt demanded that the government introduce a pension scheme for journalists before the monsoon session of the state legislature. Dutt said that several states, including smaller ones like Goa, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh etc. are giving pension to journalists, apart from Delhi.

"Why Maharashtra cannot do so," he asked.

Dutt demanded that a corpus fund to be allocated for the purpose and that interest accumulated on it can be utilized towards payment of the monthly pension to journos, mentioned PTI.

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He also asked the government to ensure effective implementation of the Journalist Protection Act once it is approved by the state legislature. Earlier the CM had mentioned about the scrutiny of the bill. while Addressing a gathering at the Sant Dnyaneshwar Sanskritik Bhavan after inaugurating the Patrakar Bhavan near Rajapeth police station, Fadnavis also assured that journalists would be helped in matters of housing, even as he announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh to the Amravati Union of Working Journalists (AUWJ).

While addressing a gathering at the Sant Dnyaneshwar Sanskritik Bhavan after inaugurating the Patrakar Bhavan near Rajapeth police station, Fadnavis also assured that journalists would be helped in matters of housing, even as he announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh to the Amravati Union of Working Journalists (AUWJ).

He said that the Maharashtra government was seriously contemplating the introduction of a bill to protect working journalists, and considering suggestions from various quarters.

The CM said that the bill would have provisions that would ensure that those who blackmail people under the garb of journalism were not protected. Fadnavis said that the credibility of all four pillars of democracy are in doubt and urged journalists to give more importance to what he called "valuable news" rather than "news value".

The Maharashtra cabinet yesterday gave its approval to the draft Bill on the law prohibiting attacks on journalists (Journalists Protection Act). Now, it is to be seen when the pension scheme for journalists will become effective.

-prepared by Nikita Tayal of NewsGram Twitter @NikitaTayal6

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