Bill for welfare of journalists introduced

The Bill seeks to provide adequate financial assistance to journalists and their families in cases of death, infirmity or disability of the scribe. Photo: Sampath Kumar

A draft legislation for the establishment of a Working Journalists Fund for the welfare of mediapersons working in newspapers was among 26 private members’ bills introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday.

The legislation seeking to amend the Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill, 2010, was introduced by Congress member J.P. Aggarwal.

The bill sought to provide for adequate financial assistance to journalists and their families in cases of death, infirmity or disability of the scribe with the government contributing Rs 75 crore to the fund.

He also introduced bills to provide for the constitution of a board for conservation of cultural and natural heritage of the country and for uniform education to all students from primary to senior secondary level.

Other Private Members Bills included one to root out the menace of begging in the country. It was introduced by RSP member Prasanta Kumar Majumdar and it sought to put the onus of providing them shelter, food and protection on the government.

Mr. Majumdar also introduced the Population Control Bill that sought to promote voluntary sterilisation among married couples having two children.

Two bills for having a permanent bench of the High Courts of Allahabad in Agra and Meerut and one for a permanent bench of the High Court of Uttarakhand in Narendranagar were also introduced.

Another bill introduced by Hansraj Gangaram Ahir (BJP) wanted to provide for the right to earn livelihood to tribals and other persons dependent on forest produce.