Odisha announces health insurance for working journalists

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today announced Rs 2 lakh health insurance for the working journalists across the state besides enhancing minimum advertisement rate for small and medium newspapers.

The announcement was made by information and public relations department B K Arukha at the state secretariat here.
All the scribes covered under the Odisha State Working Journalists' Health Insurance Scheme-2016 will pay 25 per cent premium for the insurance of Rs 2 lakh per year, Arukha said adding that remaining 75 per cent of the premium will be borne by the state government.

Arukha, however, said the government will deposit its share of premium after receipt of a certificate from the employer stating that the journalist concerned is an employee and his/her name is in the pay roll of the media organisation.

Replying to a question, the minister said the notification issued in this regard today will come into force on the date of publication in the Odisha Gazettee.

Arukha said the government has also enhanced the minimum advertisement rate in approved newspapers/periodicals from Rs 4 per square centimeter to Rs 10 per sq cm from November 10.