The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : `Pension for retired journalists under study'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 24, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

`Pension for retired journalists under study'

By Our Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA, JAN. 23. The State Information and Public Relations Commissioner, K.V.Ramanachari, said that a proposal for implementation of a pension scheme for retired journalists is under the active consideration of the Government.

Speaking at a meet-the-press programme organised by members of the Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) here on Sunday, Mr. Ramanachari said a pension scheme for journalists might be implemented in 2005-06. Explaining the Government's constraints, he said "We need to overcome a lot of criticism before starting a new programme.

The initial ridicule and annoyance, however, mellows gradually and paves way for appreciation."

Referring to the decision to allot house sites to journalists, he said the Revenue Minister, Dharmana Prasad Rao, would discuss the issue with the Information Department secretary and take a final stand by February-end. Mr Ramanachari said awards for outstanding journalists would be given from May this year.

Awards from this year

Listing the other welfare measures initiated for members of the media, he pointed out that the Journalist Welfare Fund was revived after a gap, while the Health Insurance Scheme was aimed at extending financial security to members of the fraternity. "Despite a few hurdles, we are determined to implement all the welfare schemes proposed for journalists," he said.

Reacting to a proposal that the concept of awarding outstanding journalists should be extended to cities as well, Mr. Ramanachari said the main objective between bestowing the honour on journalists in the rural sector was to encourage them by recognizing their efforts despite working in difficult conditions.

Incentives

On the Children's Film Festival, Mr. Ramanachari said the Government was keen to promote producers who opted to make films for children.

He said Krishna district would host the five-day festival scheduled to begin from February 20. During this period, select films catering to the tastes of kids would be screened across the five revenue divisions of the district.

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Andhra Pradesh