Journalists, newspaper hawkers in Odisha to get benefits from this scheme!

The journalists and newspaper hawkers in Odisha will soon have access to welfare benefits previously being provided to construction workers, as informed by Labour Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia on Thursday.

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This policy decision was revealed during a district-level event on the occasion of ‘Rashtriya Panchayati Raj Diwas’ held in Keonjhar, where Minister Khuntia detailed the scheme aiming to include 3.5 crore beneficiaries, although only 50 lakh have registered so far.

Under this initiative, journalists and newspaper hawkers will be able to receive 'Nirman Shramik Card', offering them financial security through various compensatory benefits. In the unfortunate event of a natural death, cardholders’ families will receive a compensation of Rs 3 lakh. The compensation increases to Rs 6 lakh in the case of accidental deaths.

New avenue of financial support

The Minister Khuntia urged journalists and newspaper hawkers to take advantage of this opportunity by enrolling for the card through Labour Department. This move opens up a new avenue of support and social welfare for media professionals across the State.

“We have the provision and have been providing benefits of the scheme to persons from around 100 occupations for social security, including the Nirman Shramiks (construction workers) and people from unorganised sectors,” the Labour Minister said.

“Journalists and newspaper hawkers will be included into the scheme. People engaged in different works will also be included. You (media community members) contact our Labour Department and get the card done and take advantage of the scheme,” Khuntia added.

Worth mentioning, Odisha government previously implemented Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana, a health insurance scheme that covers medical expenses of the journalists and their eligible family members.

Must Read: Odisha to enroll 3.5 crore residents in Ayushman Bharat health card

Acknowledging the hard work of newspaper hawkers in delivering newspapers door to door, the government has recognised them as Organised Sector workers.