Question : Welfare Schemes for Media Employees

a) whether the Government has launched/proposes to launch some welfare schemes for people related to electronic and print media;

b) if so, the details of the amount allocated/utilized in this regard during each of the last three years and the current year;

c) the details regarding effective implementation of such schemes media-wise and State/UT-wise;

d) if not, the reasons therefor; and

e) the steps taken by the Government for the welfare of working employees of media, journalists, editors and writers?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING [COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)]


(a) Yes Sir. Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS) has been constituted by the Ministry that provides one time ex-gratia relief on urgent basis to journalists and their families.

(b) The details are as follows:

Financial
Year Allocated
Funds (Rs.)
Expenditure
(Rs)
2013-14 30,00,000 11,00,000
2014-15 30,00,000 22,46,272
2015-16 20,00,000 20,00,000
2016-17 15,00,000 15,00,000


(c) & (d) The cases for the Schemes are processed by Press Information Bureau (PIB) headquarters and sent to a committee if meets the eligibility criteria detailed in the Scheme. State/UT wise, media wise information for the past three years is at Annexure.

(e) The Journalists accredited with the Government at PIB Headquarters in Delhi are eligible for the following benefits:
• Railway concession for Govt. of India accredited media persons administered by the Ministry of Railways.
• Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) facilities for media persons accredited by Govt. of India, administered by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• Government Accommodation to Govt. of India accredited journalists under press pool, administered by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.


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