OUJ to intensify agitation across state over insurance and pension issues; calls for journalists’ unity

By Prasanna Paikaray

Bhubaneswar, June 30: Odisha Union of Journalists (OUJ) on Friday decided intensify its agitation across the state to protest against non-fulfillment of its long-standing demands for increase in the health insurance coverage, monthly pension for elderly journalists and railway pass for all working scribes.

Sharing details about the demands and future programmes of the organization after a crucial meeting of the office-bearers, OUJ president Prasanna Kumar Mohanty said the journalists in the state have long been neglected and their genuine demands for increase in insurance coverage, pension and railway passes have been overlooked.

Mr Mohanty held both the state government and the Centre responsible for delay in fulfillment of the demands.

The OUJ president regretted that Odisha has no accreditation committee for over 15 years now. He informed that despite a clear instruction by the Press Council of India (PCI), the Odisha Government did not constitute the accreditation committee

“Press Accreditation Committee is an integral part of the information and public relations department of any state. It plays a crucial role in identification of working journalists, besides extending time to time cooperation to the department for proper and efficient information dissemination. However, the state government does not constitute this body despite our repeated demands,” said Mr Mohanty.

He declared that OUJ members from across the state would stage a dharna in front of the Odisha Legislative Assembly during the ensuing session of the House to press for the demands.

He exhorted all like-minded organizations to join hands for fulfillment of various demands of the journalists.

A decision was taken to hold meetings, seminars and workshops in east, west, north and south zones of Odisha on various issues.

Among others the meeting was attended by OUJ general secretary Ashok Nanda, vice president Rajesh Patnaik, secretary Prasanna Paikray, senior members Ramanarayan Satapathy, Pramod Samantaray, Aditya Mekap, Parikshita Biswal, Ranieet Padhy, Akshaya Kumar Sahoo, Prithwiraj Sahoo, Sadashib Saraf, Suresh Das and Chinmaya Mohapatra.

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