SRINAGAR: The Union Government has provided Rs 19.41 crore in financial assistance to 456 journalists and media personnel or their families under the Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS) between 2014-15 and 2025-26, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Dr L. Murugan said the Journalist Welfare Scheme provides one-time ex gratia financial relief to journalists or their families facing extreme hardship due to death, permanent disability, serious illness or accident-related hospitalisation.
The Minister said the scheme covers both Press Information Bureau (PIB)-accredited journalists and those accredited by State and Union Territory governments, besides non-accredited journalists, making it accessible to a wider section of media professionals.
Replying to queries on social and economic security, Dr Murugan said journalists accredited with the Press Information Bureau are also entitled to healthcare under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) for themselves and their family members. The facility includes treatment at government hospitals and CGHS-empanelled private hospitals at prescribed CGHS rates.
On accreditation, the Government said the Press Information Bureau currently has 1,786 accredited journalists in the National Capital Region.
The Ministry did not announce any separate welfare scheme specifically for desk reporters or independent journalists, stating that the existing Journalist Welfare Scheme already extends its coverage to non-accredited journalists as well.
