CM okays pension plan for journalists

CHANDIGARH: Chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday gave approval to grant monthly pension of ₹12,000 to veteran accredited journalists in the state, conceding a long-pending demand of the fraternity.

A spokesperson of the chief minister’s office said the CM gave the nod to the “Pension Scheme for Journalists” in recognition of outstanding contribution of mediapersons in the dissemination of information to the public. A notification to this effect will be issued shortly.

A journalist to be eligible under the scheme should not be less than 60 years of age and should be accredited by the state information and public relations department for a qualifying period of not less than 20 years, said the spokesperson.

The journalist, in order to be eligible, should also not have any criminal proceedings pending against him, nor should he/she be in illegal occupation or possession of any government property.

The journalist should not be drawing salary or pension, provided that where a journalist is drawing a pension from a fund wholly or partly subscribed by him, the same shall not render him ineligible to draw pension under this scheme, said the spokesperson.

TO AVAIL PENSION, A JOURNALIST SHOULD NOT BE LESS THAN 60 YEARS AND MUST HAVE STATE ACCREDITATION