Journalists in Maharashtra will finally receive a pension as the pension scheme for the journalists in the state, which was pending for several years has been cleared. Soon, the ‘Balshastri Jambhekar Patrakar Sanmaan Yojana’ will be launched.
Balshastri Jambhekar is regarded as the 'father of Marathi journalism' for his unparalleled efforts towards starting journalism in Marathi language. He began the first Marathi newspaper, Darpan at the age of 20 during the British era on January 6, 1832.
A provision of ₹15 crore has already been made for the scheme through which the journalists will receive the pension.
Earlier during 2005, the pension scheme for journalists was denied as the administration said that journalists are private employees and cannot be eligible for a pension but a few months ago, the Finance department sent the file back for reconsideration. After which, Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar conducted a meeting of Finance and Planning Department on June 29.
Major officials from the Information and Public Relations Department, the State Journalists’ Appraisal Committee, and the Finance Department were present during the meeting. In the meeting, Mungantiwar ordered to make a provision of ₹15 crore under the scheduled demands for the Monsoon Session. Information and Public Relations Department sent a proposal to the Finance Department immediately the next day.
On July 4, the first day of the Monsoon Session, a provision of ₹15 crore under the scheduled demands was presented in both the houses. After receiving the approval, the ‘Patrakar Sanmaan Yojana’ will be applicable.