Ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, CM Nitish Kumar announced a hike in pensions for retired journalists under the 'Bihar Patrakar Samman' scheme. Eligible journalists will now receive Rs 15,000 monthly, up from Rs 6,000. Dependents of deceased journalists will get 10,000 per month, reflecting the government’s support for media professionals.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. Image/File pic
Considering the fact that there are just a few months left before the Bihar Elections, political parties and senior leaders have already started to strategise in unique ways to attract the voters.
In a recent development in the Bihar political spectrum, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday announced an increase in the pension of retired journalists under the 'Bihar Patrakar Samman' scheme. Under this scheme, the Bihar Government will be increasing the pension of retired journalists by Rs 9,000 per month.
Soon after implementing this scheme, it was announced that now, all eligible retired journalists registered with the Bihar government will receive Rs 15,000 per month instead of the earlier monthly emolument of Rs 6,000. The decision comes ahead of assembly polls scheduled later this year, as reported by the news agency PTI.
Announcing this decision, the Bihar CM, in a post on X on Saturday, stated, "I am pleased to inform you that under the 'Bihar Patrakar Samman' pension scheme, instructions have been given to provide a monthly pension of Rs 15,000 instead of Rs 6,000 to all eligible journalists."
He further added that, “Additionally, in the event of the death of a journalist receiving a pension under the scheme, instructions have been given to provide their dependent/spouse with a lifetime monthly pension of Rs 10,000 instead of the earlier amount of Rs 3,000.”
"Journalists play a crucial role in democracy. They are the fourth pillar of democracy and have a significant role in social development. We have been taking care of journalists' facilities from the beginning so that they can perform their duties impartially and live with dignity after retirement," Nitish Kumar added.
This announcement by the Bihar Chief Minister on Saturday has surely brought a wide smile to the faces of journalists based in Bihar. However, without commenting on the ongoing SIR electoral row protest in the Parliament, the Bihar Chief Minister is looking forward to the upcoming assembly elections.
On the fifth day of the Monsoon Session, Parliament witnessed high political drama with continued protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned soon after convening, while opposition leaders staged demonstrations both inside and outside the House.
(With inputs from PTI)
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