IMPHAL, Sept 7 - A cheque for Rs 2 lakh has been given to the family of late Joseph Joute, co-editor of Hmar vernacular Hmasawnna Thar, under the Manipur State Journalists� Welfare (MSJW) scheme.
The cheque was handed over to Joute�s widow recently. The late journalist was a resident of Churachandpur district, who passed away here after a brief illness on June 24.
Information and Public Relations (IPR) Minister Th Biswajit said that his department was providing one-time financial assistance to accredited and recognised journalists of the State under the MSJW scheme.
Till now a sum of Rs 5 lakh has been given as ex gratia and medical assistance to three journalists from the hill districts and a sum of Rs 12 lakh has been given as ex gratia and medical assistance to nine journalists from the valley districts, the minister said.
A total of Rs 17 lakh has been utilised from the interest amount that has accrued from a corpus fund of Rs 10 crore.
The department has also approved of 98 applicants for enrolment in the Manipur Working Journalists� Pension Scheme, 1996, the minister said.
