Odisha speaker asks govt to consider scribes' demands

Odisha Assembly Speaker P K Amat Friday asked the state govenrment to consider the demands of the journalists, that included pension, ehnacement of health insurance coverage and a law for their security.

"The govenrment may take note of the issues relating to journalists," Amat said in a ruling in the Assembly after members cutting across party lines supported the demands of the scribes.

"The government will sympathetically look into the demands of jurnlaits," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said.

Their demands included introduction of pension for elderly journalists, enhancement of health insurance coverage from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh and enactment of a law to ensure security of journalists.

The issue was raised during the Zero Hour by Leader of Opposition Narasinsgha Mishra.

"When the govenrment has raised the health insurance coverage for MLAs to Rs 5 lakh, it should also be increased in case of journalists who are part of the House," Mishra said.

Government Chief Whip Amar Prasad Satpathy, BJP legislature party leader K V Singhdeo, Opposition Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati, BJD MLA Mahesh Sahu and BJP MLA Rabi Naik also supported the demands.

Earlier, the working journlaits had submitted a memorandum to the chief minister and Information and Public Relations Minister Pratap Jena.