Odisha announces benefits for working journalists
Bhubaneswar, June 7: The Odisha government on Thursday announced a string of benefits for working journalists including a death benefit of Rs 4 lakh and financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh in cases of permanent incapacitation.
Information and Public Relations Minister Pratap Jena said the journalists will get a death benefit of Rs 4 lakh and additional financial assistance from the Directorate of Medical Education and Training (DMET) for critical illness where the expenditure exceeds Rs 2 lakh under the Health Insurance Scheme.
Earlier, the government had implemented the Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Jojana up to Rs 2 lakh with effect from June 1, 2018.
Over 3,000 working journalists were covered under the scheme in the first phase.
The Minister said that 3 per cent interest subvention up to Rs 25 lakh for house building loans to be provided to the journalists.
Subvention will be released annually after repayment of regular instalment with interest by journalists who have taken loans, he added.
Besides, 3 per cent interest subvention for four wheeler loan up to Rs 4 lakh and Rs 50,000 for two-wheeler loans will be provided by the government.
Educational assistance to the children of deceased working journalists will be provided at Rs 1,500 per month till Class 10 and Rs 2,500 per month for higher studies, the Minister said.
The state government will bear the cost up to Rs 10,000 per journalists to facilitate training of minimum 25 and maximum 35 journalists within the state institutions like IIMC in a block period of five years.
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Adityanath govt has completely failed to maintain Taj Mahal, alleges Akhilesh
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday raised questions over maintenance of the Taj Mahal in Agra and attacked the Yogi Adityanath government saying it should be a "living and active" example, not just a "monument".
Yadav, who shared a viral video in which a plant could be seen sprouting from the dome of the Taj Mahal, said the monument might develop cracks due to the roots.
In a post on X, he said, "The BJP government and its dormant departments have completely failed to maintain the Taj Mahal, the wonder that attracts tourists from all over the world."
Yadav went on to say, "There is a possibility of rusting of the metal of the urn on the main dome. Water is dripping from the main dome. There is news of plants growing in the dome. If the roots of trees like these grow, then the Taj Mahal may crack."
He also highlighted problems of monkey menace and water logging in the Taj Mahal complex.
"The Taj Mahal complex has become a sanctuary for monkeys. There is a problem of waterlogging in the Taj Mahal complex. The tourists are worried whether they should admire the Taj Mahal or deal with the problems," Yadav said, adding due to all these reasons, the country's image is tarnished at the global level.
Last week, the main dome of the Taj witnessed water seepage due to incessant rains but officials said there was no damage to the arched roof.
Yadav asked where crores of rupees of funds that come for the maintenance of Taj Mahal are going.
"The government should be a living and active example, not just a monument," he added.
