Odisha speaker asks Naveen Patnaik government to consider demand of Journalists

Odisha Assembly Speaker P K Amat Friday asked the state government to consider the demands of the journalists, that included pension, enhancement of health insurance coverage and a law for their security. "The government may take note of the issues relating to journalists," Amat said in a ruling in the Assembly after members cutting across party lines supported the demands of the scribes.

"The government will sympathetically look into the demands of journalists," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said. Their demands included introduction of pension for elderly journalists, enhancement of health insurance coverage from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh and enactment of a law to ensure security of journalists. The issue was raised during the Zero Hour by Leader of Opposition Narasinsgha Mishra. "When the government has raised the health insurance coverage for MLAs to Rs 5 lakh, it should also be increased in case of journalists who are part of the House," Mishra said.

Government Chief Whip Amar Prasad Satpathy, BJP legislature party leader K V Singhdeo, Opposition Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati, BJD MLA Mahesh Sahu and BJP MLA Rabi Naik also supported the demands. Earlier, the working journalists had submitted a memorandum to the chief minister and Information and Public Relations Minister Pratap Jena.

(With inputs from agencies.)