SRINAGAR — Journalists from Jammu and Kashmir, including non-accredited and freelance journalists, are eligible to avail financial assistance under the Journalists Welfare Scheme (JWS) of the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, while accredited journalists can also access accommodation and other facilities provided by the Union Territory administration, the government informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
The information was provided by the Minister-in-Charge, Information Department, in response to a question raised by MLA Tanvir Sadiq on welfare measures available to journalists and media personnel in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the government reply, the JWS provides one-time ex-gratia financial assistance to journalists and their families in cases including death, permanent disability, major ailments and extreme hardship. The scheme operates under guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on April 1, 2023.
The government said assistance of up to ₹5 lakh is available in cases of death, up to ₹5 lakh for permanent disability and up to ₹3 lakh for treatment of major ailments not covered under the Central Government Health Scheme or an insurance policy.
The scheme covers both accredited and non-accredited journalists, including freelancers, subject to its applicable conditions. Journalists from J&K can submit applications through the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and/or the UT Information Department, after which eligible cases can be forwarded with the required recommendation.
Accommodation and health cover
On accommodation, the government said accredited journalists in J&K are eligible for paid government accommodation through the Estates Department, subject to demand and availability.
Accredited journalists can also avail short-term subsidised accommodation at government guest houses through the J&K Hospitality & Protocol Department, both within and outside the Union Territory.
The government said accreditation of journalists and media persons in J&K is carried out by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations under the Guidelines for Accreditation of Journalists notified through Government Order No. 15-JK (ID) of 2022 dated November 17, 2022.
It also said journalists and their families are covered under Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT, which provides health insurance of up to ₹5 lakh per family annually to residents of J&K.
Journalists who do not receive health insurance or post-retirement pension benefits from their employers can also avail applicable government schemes, the reply said.
The government also referred to the Atal Pension Yojana, under which eligible citizens aged 18 to 40 years with a bank or post office savings account can subscribe for a fixed monthly pension from the age of 60, depending on their contributions.
Press Clubs
On the proposal for establishing Press Clubs in Jammu and Srinagar with facilities for conferences, meetings, research and other professional activities, the government said Press Clubs are autonomous bodies established by members of the media fraternity and registered as societies under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
Their functioning is the responsibility of their respective executive bodies, with elections held periodically, it said.
The government said the Jammu Press Club is functioning from premises leased from the Jammu Development Authority.
Regarding the Srinagar Press Club, the Information Department provided ₹50 lakh in financial assistance through two government orders issued on December 14 and December 19, 2018. The funds were placed at the disposal of the club for its functioning, while the Estates Department also provided space for its operations.
The government said office-bearers of the Srinagar Press Club could approach the administration through the Department of Information and Public Relations in case of any issues.
The Assembly reply outlines the welfare measures currently available to journalists in J&K through the central Journalists Welfare Scheme and UT-level facilities, while also setting out the existing arrangements for accommodation, health coverage and Press Clubs.
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