Press Club of Jammu has welcomed the State Government's announcement of mediclaim Insurance Policy for accredited working journalist.The announcement was made by J&K Finance Minister, Dr Haseeb Drabu while presenting state budget 2018 in the floor of the house today.While welcoming the decision, PCJ president, Ashwani Kumar urged the Govt to extend the benefit of this scheme to all the working journalist and cameraman. He also added that Govt should also consider to implement monthly pension scheme in favour journalist on the pattern on many other states.Pertinent to mention here that at present, there is no such scheme in the State for welfare of the journalists, who perform their duties round the clock in most extreme conditions in militancy-hit State at the risk of their lives.
Many neighbouring States have already announced several insurance and pension schemes for the welfare of journalists and their families. Recently Punjab Government launched a cashless insurance scheme, accidental insurance and family insurance schemes for accredited and recognized journalists, thereby providing them a sense of security.Ashwani Kumar, Preident ,Press Club of Jammu has said that already Press Club Mangement has submitted a memorandum to the State Government alongwith comprehensive proposals for launching Journalist Welfare Scheme Fund, Medical Insurance Schemes, Accident Insurance and Pension Schemes for State journalists.He said that the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, Dy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh and Minister for Finance, Haseeb Drabu, in separate meetings with the management committee of the Press Club of Jammu and senior journalists, have already assured for announcing pensionary benefits and insurance schemes for working journalists.”