Assam Budget provides pension, family benefit fund for journos

The Assam government today announced a list of welfare schemes for journalists in the state, which includes a provision of pension from the next financial year.
Presenting the Budget for 2017-18, Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that many senior journalists, who have dedicated their lives to journalism, might need financial security after their retirement.
"You will be delighted to know that journalists' pension will be introduced for this purpose on the lines of literary, artistes and sports pension from 2017-18 onwards," he said.
The budget also proposes to set up a "Journalist Family Benefit Fund" for providing suitable financial assistance to the bereaved family members of journalists," he said.

Apart from these budgetary provisions, the government also announced media fellowship of Rs 50,000 to selected journalists for pursuing higher studies in the relevant field of journalism.
In 2017-18, 20 such fellowships will be awarded, Sarma said.