State forms panel to look into scribes' demand

The state government today formed a committee to look into the demands of working journalists in the state. The committee will be headed by state chief secretary and apart from him, it will consist of development commission, additional chief secretary (finance), and secretary, information and public relation, as members. A ten member representative of working journalists today met chief minister Naveen Patnaik at secretariat and put forth their demands which, among other things, included implementing health insurance and pension schemes for the journalist, simplification of guideline of journalists' welfare fund. Following the discussion, the chief minister had directed constitution of a high level committee to look into the issues. The state I & PR minister Arun Sahu and director, I & PR department, Pramod Das were present during the discussion.