General elections are just around the corner, and Odisha government seems to be on a scheme-launching spree to woo the people. Starting from annual scholarship for UG and PG students, to extending livelihood assistance for families under Public Distribution System, doubling of cash transfer under Mamata Yojana for pregnant women and lactating mothers, promising recruitment of over 7000 accountant-cum-data entry operators in gram panchayats, extending monthly assistance to around 1.5 lakh weavers and ancillary workers/ handicraft artisans, and uniform assistance to 70 lakh SHG workers, the list goes on. While the government is busy announcing pre-poll bonanza almost every other day, the journalists who play a pertinent role in our society are unfortunately left behind.
Media is considered the fourth pillar of democracy, alas, not in Odisha! Be it violent attacks, denial of pension grant, or the prolonged restrictions from entering Loka Seva Bhawan, journalists in Odisha are constantly getting cornered by the state government.
In 2018, the government had launched Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana with an aim to provide comprehensive support to the journalistic community. However, the insurance coverage was limited to Rs 2 lakh. After frequent protests demanding increase of the health insurance amount, the coverage was increased from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh last year.
But, the scheme has certain loopholes – like, it only provides benefits to journalists who are working with registered media houses under the I&PR department of the govt. This means, the scheme will not cover the health benefits for journalists who are working under unregistered media organizations. Moreover, it also doesn’t provide coverage for parents of beneficiaries.
Apart from this, the demand for pension for journalists has allegedly been neglected since a very long time by the ruling BJD government. Implementation of pension scheme has been a longstanding demand of the Odisha Union of Journalists. This year, senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra, has also raised this issue during the budget session in the House. Mishra urged the state government to 'implement the pension scheme for journalists in Odisha just like the provisions made by other states'. He also demanded to ease the restrictions clamped by the Odisha government on the entry of journalists into Loka Seva Bhawan. Not only Congress, the BJP has also targeted the BJD several times for restricting scribes to enter into the Loka Seva Bhawan.
The woes of journalists do not end here. The harassment and attacks faced by journalists and news correspondents, is another issue that has allegedly not been addressed properly by the govt. Following a recent incident involving a journalist who sustained critical injuries after being attacked with swords in Bhubaneswar, the opposition cornered the BJD and raised questions over the security of scribes in the state. Is govt keen on bringing any protection scheme, or will the journalist fraternity continue getting neglected?
It is pertinent to mention here that the National Journalist Welfare Board had earlier put forth two demands before the state government — enhancement of health insurance coverage and introduction of pension for elderly journalists. State cabinet minister Prafulla Mallick had then assured that the government will consider demands made by the board. While one of the demands concerning insurance coverage was taken into consideration, the demand for pension has remained unheard so far.