OUJ intensifies demand for pension, protection law and accreditation; warns of statewide agitation

By Deba Prasad Dash

Cuttack, Nov. 22: The Odisha Union of Journalists (OUJ) on Saturday renewed its push for key welfare measures, passing a resolution urging the state government to announce a pension scheme for senior journalists aged 60 and above. The resolution was adopted at the OUJ State Executive meeting held in Cuttack under the chairmanship of its president, Prasanna Mohanty.

The union also pressed the government to fulfil two pending commitments — the enactment of a law for journalists’ protection and the extension of accreditation facilities to all working scribes. OUJ leaders noted that these demands were raised during a massive rally held in Bhubaneswar on September 22, where a memorandum was submitted to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The Chief Minister had assured them that the issues would be considered sympathetically.

“Two months have passed since then, but no concrete action has been taken. OUJ will not tolerate further delay. We are prepared to launch statewide protests if our demands are not addressed soon. We urge the government to make the necessary announcements during the upcoming winter session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly,” Mr. Mohanty said.

The meeting was attended by former MLAs Prabhat Tripathy, Pravat Ranjan Biswal, and Prakash Behera, along with Cuttack unit president Prafulla Mohanty and general secretary Ajay Das. Senior OUJ officials including Rajib Mohanty, Kishan Rout, Parikhita Biswal, Abhaya Pati, Prasanna Paikaray, Sudhansu Parida, Deba Prasad Dash, Bhadranchal Nayak, Sashadhar Rout, Aditya Mekap, Lohit Mohapatra, Ansar Ali, Rajesh Mohanty, Sudhansu Patra, Gangadhar Rout and Sisira Das, among others, were present.

Representatives from all 30 districts participated in the deliberations, reaffirming OUJ’s resolve to press for the long-pending demands.