Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on September 16 announced a proposed increase in monthly pension benefits for retired journalists and their families.
Speaking at the 52nd Foundation Day celebration of the All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal, Singh said the regular monthly pension for retired journalists is proposed to be increased from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000. The family pension would also rise from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000.
The Chief Minister said the proposed changes are aimed at strengthening financial support for members of the media fraternity and recognising their contribution to society. He added that the revised rates would be placed before the state Cabinet for approval.
The foundation day programme was attended by Lamlai MLA Kh Ibomcha, Editors Guild Manipur president Khogendra Khomdram and AMWJU president Asem Bhakta Singh, among others.
Singh also announced a proposed one-time relaxation for journalists whose accounts under the Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) Journalist Pension Scheme became inactive because of missed contributions during the prolonged crisis in the state.
Under the proposed measure, eligible journalists would be allowed to reactivate their accounts. The proposal will also be placed before the Cabinet for consideration.
In another measure aimed at supporting media organisations, the Chief Minister said the government had already cleared pending government advertisement bills amounting to around Rs 1 crore.
According to figures cited in connection with the Manipur Working Journalists Pension Scheme (MWJPS), the DIPR currently recognises 29 beneficiaries aged above 60, comprising 11 regular pensioners and 18 family pensioners.
The scheme currently has 268 active working journalists enrolled, including 86 members admitted in 2023.
Under the existing framework, accredited journalists aged between 18 and 45 years who possess valid DIPR identity cards can enrol in the pension scheme.
The scheme also provides that subscribers who leave it before retirement can withdraw their principal contributions, but not the interest accumulated on those contributions.
The proposed revision comes as the number of journalists approaching retirement is expected to increase in the coming years, potentially adding to the government’s pension liability.
Participation in the pension scheme has historically faced challenges, including irregular subscription payments and journalists leaving the profession before reaching retirement age. Some professionals have also reportedly exited the field because of health-related difficulties.
The proposed increase would mark another revision of the pension structure. In 2017, the monthly pension for regular retirees was increased from Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000, while the family pension was raised from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000.