The first ever financial assistance under the Manipur State Journalists Welfare Scheme (MSJWS), Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Manipur gave away to three media persons on Monday.
The three media persons are (late) G Muanthang, Senior Correspondent, Churachandpur, Information Service Television Network (one time ex-gratia amounting to Rs 2 lakh), Nepram Tombi Meitei, Ex-Staff reporter of The Sangai Express (medical assistance amounting to Rs 1 lakh) and Th Thangzalian, Editor/Publisher, Lamka Post (medical assistance amounting to Rs 1 lakh).
Information & Public Relations Minister Thongam Biswajit handed over the financial assistance to the media persons at his office chamber in Imphal in presence of Director H Balkrisna Singh of Information & Public Relations, APO (Press) Tenshubam Sangeeta and other staff members.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Biswajit said that the Government acknowledges the hardships and dedication of the media persons besides their important role 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 achievement,” he added.
Chief Minister N Biren launched the MSJWS, an important programme of the new Government’s achievement on June 30, 2017 at City Convention Centre, Imphal.
The State Government made a contribution of Rs 10 crore towards the Corpus Fund of the MSJWS on May 5, 2017. The scheme provides one time financial/medical assistance to Journalists and their families.
The scheme is constituted under the DIPR and is administered by a Committee which reserves the right to reject or accept any application without assigning any reasons. 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 only up to the age of 60 years 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 Government 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 under the scheme is up to Rs 2 lakh may be provided to the family under extreme hardship on account of death of the journalist, up to Rs 2 lakh may be provided to the journalist in case of permanent disability rendering the journalist incapable of earning a livelihood, up to Rs 1 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.