Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has today constituted a Committee to review the existing guidelines of Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS) and make appropriate recommendations for changes to the guidelines. The composition of the Committee is as follows
Chairperson
Shri Ashok Kumar Tandon, Member, Prasar Bharati Board
Members
1.Shri Sachidanand Murthy, Resident Editor, The Week
2.Shri Shekhar Aiyar, Freelance Journalist
3.Shri Amitabh Sinha, News 18
4.Shri Sishir Kumar Sinha, Business Line
5.Shri Ravinder Kumar, Special Correspondent, Zee News
6.Shri Hitesh Shankar, Editor, Panchjanya
7.Ms. Smriti Kak Ramachandran, Hindustan Times
8.Shri Amit Kumar, Times Now
9.Ms Vasudha Venugopal, Economic Times
10.Smt. Kanchan Prasad, Addl. DG, Press Information Bureau
Convener
Shri Pankaj Salodia, Director (IP)
The terms of reference for the Committee are as under:
1. Examine the need for revision of quantum of ex-gratia payment in death as well as other cases under Journalist Welfare Scheme.
2. To look into the aspect of differentiation/parity between accredited and non-accredited journalists for availing benefits under the scheme.
3.Revision/broad-basing the definition of working journalist for the purpose of the Scheme keeping in view the Occupational, Safety, Health and Working Condition Code-2010 as well as Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code ) Rules 2021.
4. Any other aspect to be considered appropriate by the Committee.
The Committee shall submit its recommendation within two months. Press Information Bureau will provide secretarial assistance for convening the meeting of Committee etc.
About Journalist Welfare Scheme:
JWS in its current form of guidelines had come into effect on 5th March, 2019 with the purpose of giving support to the journalists and their families in extreme hardship in a time bound and transparent manner, in line with the Government’s constitutional responsibility to look after the vulnerable. Accordingly the Scheme provides one time ex-gratia relief on urgent basis to journalists and their families.
JWS is administered by a Committee comprising Secretary(I&B) as Chairperson and Principal DG, PIB and Joint Secretary(P&A) as Members along with Non-official members who hold office for a period of two years.
In the year 2019-20, 19 journalists’ families were provided ex-gratia amount due to their demise while, 9 journalists were provided assistance for ailments with a total amount of (approx) Rs 1.15 crore being disbursed as assistance during the year.
In the year 2020-21, 48 families of journalists’ were given ex-gratia assistance, 31 under COVID deaths and 17 under non-COVID deaths. Assistance was provided to 2 journalists for disability and 6 for ailments. A total amount of Rs 2.6 crore was disbursed under the scheme in the year.
In the year 2021-22, a total of 82 journalist families have been given assistance, 69 under COVID deaths and 13 under non-COVID deaths, whereas two journalists have been given assistance for disability and 1 for ailments. A sum of Rs 4.23 crore has been disbursed so far under JWS in the year 2021-22.
