Srinagar, Sep 28 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government has informed the Legislative Assembly that journalists from J&K are eligible to avail benefits under the Journalists Welfare Scheme (JWS) of the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, while accredited journalists are also provided accommodation and other facilities by the UT administration.
The information was given by the Minister-in-Charge, Information Department, in response to a question raised by MLA Tanvir Sadiq, seeking details regarding the welfare of journalists and media persons in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the reply, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), one-time ex-gratia/financial assistance is provided to journalists and their families under the Journalists Welfare Scheme as per guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on April 1, 2023.
Under the scheme, one-time financial assistance is available to both accredited and non-accredited journalists, including freelance journalists and cases of extreme hardship.
The government said the assistance is up to Rs 5 lakh in case of death, Rs 5 lakh for permanent disability and Rs 3 lakh towards treatment of major ailments not covered under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) or insurance.
It said journalists from J&K are fully eligible to apply under the scheme through the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and/or the UT Information Department, after which eligible cases can be forwarded with due recommendation.
The government further stated that accredited journalists of J&K are provided paid government accommodation by the Estates Department, subject to demand and availability. It added that short-term subsidised accommodation is provided to accredited journalists by the J&K Hospitality & Protocol Department in government guest houses, both within and outside the Union Territory.
The government said the accreditation of journalists/media persons is carried out by the Directorate of Information & Public Relations, J&K, under the Guidelines for Accreditation of Journalists notified through Government Order No. 15-JK (ID) of 2022 dated November 17, 2022.
It said a Rs 5 lakh health cover is available under Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT; journalists who have not been provided health insurance or a post-retirement pension scheme by their employers can avail themselves of government schemes.
Under the Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT Scheme, health insurance of Rs 5 lakh per annum per family is available to all residents of J&K, including families of media persons.
The government also mentioned the Atal Pension Yojana (APY), under which citizens aged 18 to 40 years having a bank or post office savings account can subscribe. The scheme provides a fixed monthly pension from the age of 60, depending on the contribution amount.
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 entities established by members of the media fraternity and registered as societies under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
Their functioning, it said, is the responsibility of their respective Executive Bodies, with elections held regularly for their smooth functioning.
The government said the Jammu Press Club is operational from a building provided on lease by the Jammu Development Authority.
Regarding the Srinagar Press Club, the government said the Department of Information and Public Relations provided Rs 50 lakh financial assistance through Government Order No. 44-ID of 2018 dated December 14, 2018, followed by Government Order No. 45-ID of 2018 dated December 19, 2018.
The entire amount was placed at the disposal of the Srinagar Press Club for its smooth functioning, while the Estates Department also provided space to the club for its operation.
The government further said that office bearers of the Srinagar Press Club can approach the government through the Department of Information and Public Relations in case of any issue.
The reply was furnished by the Minister-in-Charge, Information Department—(KNO)