The Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Pattnaik declared the working journalists of the state as frontline warriors. He also announced that all the accredited journalist in the state will be administered the COVID-19 vaccine on priority.
This announcement comes after the death of almost 17 journalists in the state to the second wave of the Corona virus. This is supposed to benefit 6944 journalists registered under Gopabandhu Working Journalists Health Insurance Scheme.
“Last year, the State government had come up with a policy of paying ex gratia of ₹15 lakh to the next of kin of journalists dying of COVID-19. This year, we have already identified 12 journalists who have lost their lives in the second wave. We will release the ex gratia to their family members,” said Manas Mangaraj, adviser to the Information and Public Relations Department.
