ITANAGAR, June 26: Reflecting his magnitude, Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday assured to incorporate provisions in Budget-2019 in July for greater welfare of journalists after threadbare discussion with a team of Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) in his office here on Thursday.
CM Khandu consented to pension scheme in next budget after APUWJ president Amar Sangno briefed him that many states of India, including Assam, Manipur & Tripura have implemented such scheme which offers monthly pension ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 to journalists after attaining 58 years of age.
He directed his secretary Sonam Chombay accordingly, who said the scheme would be based on eligibility criteria and state resource. Sangno intervened to say that only two – APUW advisors-cum-senior journalists Pradeep Kumar and Taro Chatung will be entitled now while others after a long gap. The pension should be reasonably higher considering high cost of living, opined advisor Mukul Pathak.
The CM nodded to issue a circular for concessional rate of GoAP guest houses for journalists on duty within and across the country, when Kumar said such an order was issued by former home commissioner J M Tangu for which he has been availing the benefit but not others. It would be subject to availability for which all accredited journalists will be sensitized not to make an issue if accommodation is not available, Sangno assured.
On demand for an electronic/digital media, Sangno said that the existing policy requiring approval of IPR secretary unlike print media is in vague, which should be amended or a new one framed. While the CM said it would be framed within three months involving law department, Chombay said that it would be a robust policy involving media representatives and other departments.
When Sangno said that the policy should not go against the freedom of press to invite conflict with the working journalists, Khandu assured not to worry. However, floating electronic journalists have been filing provocative news for lack of accountability for online reports, Sangno said and suggested for constituting a regulatory body to scrutinize such reports.
Pointing out that Maharashtra Govt has enacted Maharashtra Media Persons and Media Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2017 for protection of working journalists after tabloid Mid Day investigative editor Jyotirmoy Dey was shot dead on 11.06.11, Sangno said that such an act should be framed with strong political will power to create history.
The APUWJ will soon issue press sticker to its members with hologram for easy identification, he informed and urged the CM for exemption of journalists on duty from paying toll tax, particularly at Borum railway station and RKM Hospital. A circular will be issued soon, Chombay said.
On implementation of Bachawat Wage Board recommendations directed by the Supreme Court, Sango clarified the misgiving that it should be reasonable salary instead of in toto implementation. Kumar again recalled that after the GoI had notified recommendations of R. K. Manisana Wage Boards for Journalists and Non-journalists in 2011, he had taken its structure but lowered the rates considering revenue earning for the management to approve and the journalists to benefit. Thus, a tripartite committee involving the GoAP, media fraternity and wage board member could be formed, when APUWJ general secretary Ranju Dodum suggested for a state wage board.
“Your’s is a welfare Govt like former CM Dorjee Khandu, who used to act instantly in state’s interest after learning from journalist,” APC vice president Manoj Singh said, adding that the journalists wish to get the fruits of visible development outcome of your energetic bold actions.
The media team included APC president Dodum Yangfo, Arunachal Electronic Media Association (AEMA) president Toko Migom & advisor Irani Sonwal and IJU NEC member Taya Bagang.