IMPHAL, November 22: The Chief Minister Okram Ibobi inaugurated the Indian Journalist Union`s National Executive Committee meeting at 1st MR Banquet Hall today.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Ibobi notified the steps taken by the State government for the welfare of scribes in the State.
He said in response to the demands from the All Manipur Working Journalist Union, the government has already constituted a tripartite committee in line with the recommendations of the Majithia Wage Board. It has been notified through the Gazette already, and now this committee will classify and provide a foolproof action plan which the government will implement for the welfare of the journalist fraternity, he added.
He said his government has increased the Journalist Pension Fund pursued by AMWJU and raised the grant of Rs 2 lakhs towards the Pension Fund to Rs. 5 lakhs from this year to facilitate the implementation of the pension scheme.
He also said his government has further agreed to set up a press academy in the State to uplift the quality of journalism despite financial constraints. `The government has also accepted the proposal made by AMWJU for establishment of a Press Housing colony in principle` he added.
The chief minister also stated that the government will help AMJWU raise a Journalist Corpus Fund to meet the contingency needs of scribes in the State especially in case of medical emergency and for children`™s education.
In his speech, the IJU president SN Sinha said the Supreme Court has in its verdict on the Mejithia Wage board ordered its implementation but till date media houses or firms have not implemented the wage board violating the order.
Another big issue for journalists is the security of life. `Next year, we are going to discuss the issue of the security of journalists because the lives of journalists have been violated in various places by the mafia, underground activists or by security forces too`, he added.
More than160 delegates, including that from Bangladesh and across the country were present in the inaugural function.
The national executive council meeting this year is organised by AMWJU and it will continue till November 24.
SN Sinha graced the inaugural as the president while AMJWU president Wangkhemcha Syamjai Social Welfare minister AK Mirabai and IJU secretary general Devunalli Amar were the guests of honour.