UP GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES VACCINATION FOR JOURNALISTS

LUCKNOW : The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday announced that journalists and their families will get covid vaccination at separate vaccination centres earmarked for them.

“Recognizing the efforts of journalists, who have put their lives at risk on a daily basis to cover the Covid-19 pandemic, the chief minister took the decision. He has instructed the officials to ensure that all journalists get vaccinated and, if required, health officials should go to their workplaces and administer free vaccination. All those above 18 years of age in the family of a journalist will also be vaccinated,” a government statement said.

The scheme would also include freelance journalists working in newspapers, electronic media and news web portals.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The statement also said journalists in the state will now get the benefit of the Centre’s welfare scheme.

Even non-accredited journalists and freelancers will benefit from the scheme.

For this, one must have the eligibility of being recognized by the Government of India or the government of any state or Union territory, it said.

“Even if they are not recognized, they should have been associated with any print, electronic or web-based services for at least 5 years to benefit from the scheme.”

Additional chief secretary, Information, Navneet Sehgal said, “On the death of a journalist, there is a provision of giving financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to his dependents. Similarly, Rs 5 lakh may be given to the journalist in case of permanent disability, and Rs 3 lakh in case of serious illness.”