HAILAKANDI, Nov 21 - The Government of Assam is mulling plans to introduce an insurance scheme for journalists. This was disclosed by the Media Adviser to the Chief Minister, Hrishikesh Goswami during an interaction with media persons of Hailakandi district at the Circuit House here recently.
Goswami on his maiden visit to the district, said that the process is on to introduce the insurance scheme for the journalists of the State. �Steps have been initiated in the right earnest for preparation of modalities and guidelines of an insurance scheme for journalists,� he added.
Goswami said that the present government under the able leadership of Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal has introduced a slew of schemes for the welfare of media persons, including their dependants. He said that the present government is wholly committed to the welfare of journalists and has started a number of schemes like journalists medical welfare scheme, journalist family benefit fund, one-time assistance to journalists, one-time ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of the kin of the journalists who die in harness, media fellowship for the working journalists and press tour on goodwill mission for the media persons, among others. In the same breath, Goswami said that plans are on the anvil to hold exchange programmes and workshops for those who want to improve their professional skills and enhancement of knowledge in the field of journalism.
Assuring that he would do everything possible for the overall development and welfare of journalists of the State, Goswami urged them to come forward and avail the schemes meant for them and to approach the Deputy Commissioner and the District Information and Public Relations Officer for necessary assistance. �Let us think positively, do positively for the good of the society,� he quipped.
Senior journalist Nitish Bhattacharjee, president of Hailakandi Press Club, Naimul Islam Choudhury and some media persons apprised the Media Adviser to the Chief Minister about the dilapidated condition of the Hailakandi Press Club and sought help from the government for construction of a new building on the existing plot of land. Goswami assured that he would take up the matter with the Chief Minister.
The Hailakandi Press Club submitted a memorandum to the Media Adviser. Later, Goswami visited the site of the press club and inspected the building accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli and OSD to Chief Minister, Shekhar Dey.
The members of the press club extended invitation to the Media Adviser to grace the golden jubilee in March next year and made a plea that the Chief Minister be present as chief guest. Goswami asked them to come over to Dispur to discuss the matter with the Chief Minister.
Deputy Commissioner Jalli apprised the Media Adviser to the Chief Minister about the commendable role played by the media during disturbances in the district, which helped to restore peace and tranquillity. At the end of the interaction, the Media Adviser to Chief Minister, the Deputy Commissioner and the OSD to CM gave away recognised identity card of DIPR to six journalists of the district.
Earlier, the DIPRO, Sabir Nishat welcomed the Media Adviser to the Chief Minister and requested the media persons to place their views without any inhibition for which he had come to the district.
