IMPHAL, June 25 - Manipur Cabinet has approved introduction of the Manipur State Journalists Welfare Scheme (MSJWS).
The MSJWS, which was framed vis-s-vis the schemes implemented in neighbouring States of Assam, Mizoram and Nagaland and also in sync with the guidelines issued by Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, is to provide one-time ex-gratia and relief to journalists and their family members.
The financial assistance of MSJWS will be paid out of the interest accrued from a corpus fund of Rs 5 crore and Rs 2 lakh shall be provided to the family on account of death of the journalist and also to the journalist in case of permanent disability rendering the journalist incapable of earning a livelihood.
A sum of Rs 1 lakh shall be provided towards the cost of treatment of major ailments while Rs 50,000 in case of accidents.
The Cabinet meeting recently also gave its approval to the payment of compensation for Rs 1,08,41,094 for the damages and injuries to tank trucks and their crews in several incidents during the economic blockades on National Highway 37 last year.
It also decided to revise the room rents in the Manipur Bhawans located at New Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati besides giving its nod for conducting the Panchayat elections in six Zilla Parishads.
