President of Karnataka Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ), N. Raju has said that the Chief Minister has assured the union about increasing the pension of the retired journalists and also initiating steps to provide healthcare facilities to the families of the working journalists.
Speaking at the investiture ceremony of the new office bearers of Dharwad District Union of Working Journalists (DDUWJ) and felicitation function here on Monday, Mr. Raju said that the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had assured them of increasing the pension amount to Rs. 10,000 in the forthcoming budget.
Mr. Raju said that the union also held meeting with the Health Minister, U.T. Khader on providing healthcare facilities to the families of the journalists. “The issue of whether the government should extend medical facilities free of cost to the journalists’ families or whether they should be asked to pay a nominal fee for the medical facilities is being discussed now”, he said.
The KUWJ President said that the union was contemplating on establishing journalists cooperative societies at the district-level and taking up site development projects. “We want to add more funds to the existing journalists’ welfare fund so that increased assistance could be extended to them at times of emergencies”, he said.
Making introductory remarks, newly elected President of DDUWJ Ganapati Gangolli elaborated on his plans that included conducting monthly ‘Meet The Press’ programmes, renovation of the DDUWJ building, bus pass facility to the members and others.
State Executive Committee member, Shivakumar Kanasogi highlighted the need for extending the benefits of the existing journalists cooperative society to the district union members.
Hubballi Dharwad Mayor Shivu Hiremath said that he would come out with a scheme for the welfare of the journalists in the coming budget of the municipal corporation.
Outgoing President of DDUWJ, N. Manjunath Bhat highlighted the need for making united efforts to get benefits to the journalists’ community. Election Officer and former Assistant Director of Information Pralhad Parvati thanked the journalists for cooperating in conducting the elections in a democratic manner. General Secretary of DDUWJ Narayan Vaidya welcomed the gathering, while Secretary Mahendra Chavan proposed a vote of thanks. Executive committee member Sushilendra Kundaragi compered and Lochanesh Hugar introduced the chief guest. All the newly elected office bearers were symbolically given a certificate of their election on the occasion.
