Journalists Demand Pension Scheme at Sambalpur Conference
Journalists from seven districts met in Sambalpur demanding a pension scheme for retired media workers, citing a high court directive and financial hardship.
Senior journalists from Sambalpur, Baragada, Jharsuguda, Debagada, Subarnapur, Balangir and Boudh convened at the Journalists’ Building in Sambalpur on Sunday for a zonal conference organised by the Senior Journalists Association under the Sambalpur District Journalists Association. They urged the Odisha government to introduce a pension scheme for retired and soon-to-retire journalists, citing financial hardship and the need to strengthen the profession’s credibility. Association state president Kahnu Charan Nanda said pensions were essential to prevent financial hardship among journalists and would encourage younger people to enter the field.
What specific pension demands were raised at the conference?
The Senior Journalists Association called for a pension scheme to support retired and soon-to-retire journalists working in Odisha. Association state president Kahnu Charan Nanda said, "Pensions are essential to prevent financial hardship among journalists." He added that such a scheme would strengthen journalism’s credibility and encourage younger people to enter the profession. Nanda also noted that pension schemes for retired journalists have already been introduced in about 19 states and Union territories, urging Odisha to provide similar benefits. He stressed that the scheme remains unimplemented in Odisha despite the long-standing demand.
What legal actions have been taken regarding the pension demand?
The association has been discussing the pension issue with the Odisha government since 2022. In that period, it approached the Orissa High Court, which directed the state to introduce a pension scheme for journalists. When the directive was not implemented, the association filed a contempt petition against the government. On June 23, the high court gave the government three months to resolve the matter, stating that failure to comply could lead to further legal action.
Who attended the Sambalpur conference?
Journalists from Sambalpur, Baragada, Jharsuguda, Debagada, Subarnapur, Balangir and Boudh participated in the Sunday meeting. Odisha Senior Journalists Association vice president Pradipta Choudhury, general secretary Ashutosh Behera and senior adviser Devendra Singh were present. Organising secretary Biplab Mohanty and executive committee members Diptimayee Kar, Amareswar Das and Kuntala Behera also attended, while District Journalists Association Vice President Kishore Sahu introduced the guests. Retired journalist Arjun Ranjan Panda served as chief guest and District Journalists Association president Subas Chandra Panigrahi presided over the meeting. The gathering highlighted the unified voice of journalists across western Odisha in pressing for pension security.
What was the purpose of the zonal conference held by the Senior Journalists Association in Sambalpur?
To demand a pension scheme for retired and soon-to-retire journalists.
Which districts were represented at the Sambalpur journalists' conference?
Journalists from Sambalpur, Baragada, Jharsuguda, Debagada, Subarnapur, Balangir and Boudh attended.
Who presided over the meeting and who served as chief guest?
District Journalists Association president Subas Chandra Panigrahi presided over the meeting, while retired journalist Arjun Ranjan Panda was chief guest.
What did Kahnu Charan Nanda say about the need for a journalist pension scheme?
He said pensions were essential to prevent financial hardship among journalists and would strengthen journalism’s credibility and encourage younger people to enter the profession.
How many states and union territories already have pension schemes for retired journalists, according to Nanda?
About 19 states and union territories have introduced such schemes.
What legal steps have the journalists' associations taken since 2022 regarding the pension demand?
They have discussed the issue with the government since 2022, approached the Orissa High Court which directed the state to introduce a pension scheme, filed a contempt petition after the directive was not implemented, and on June 23 the high court gave the government three months to resolve the matter.
Which office-bearers of the Odisha Senior Journalists Association attended the Sambalpur conference?
Vice president Pradipta Choudhury, general secretary Ashutosh Behera, senior adviser Devendra Singh, organising secretary Biplab Mohanty and executive committee members Diptimayee Kar, Amareswar Das and Kuntala Behera attended.
What was the deadline given by the Orissa High Court for the Odisha government to act on the pension scheme?
The high court gave the government three months to resolve the issue on June 23.
Tapan Kumar Sahoo
District Correspondent, Boudh
Tapan Kumar Sahoo reports on Boudh district's education sector, road and infrastructure projects, and community affairs.
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