Odisha journalists launch padyatra to press for demands

At a time when the journalists are staging sit-ins over several demands at different parts of the state, the journalists of Gop block in the Puri district took out a Padyatra to Naveen Nivas in Bhubaneswar on Friday to press for their demands. 

As per reports, the journalists of Gop block wore black badges and embarked on a 60-km-long Padyatra to Naveen Nivas. They will discharge their duties wearing black badges till their demands are not fulfilled. Their demands include journalist protection law, establishment of a press academy, pension, inclusion of parents in the health insurance scheme, and hike in the insured amount. 

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“Journalists across the state will discharge their duties wearing black badges till our demands are not met. The journalists of the Gop area are the first ones to start a Padyatra. It will definitely encourage others,” said an agitating journalist. 

Journalists in Salepur, Jharsuguda, Jajpur, and Paralakhemundi also staged demonstrations in their respective places demanding fulfilment of their demands.

(Reported by Sanjay Pati)