The Assam Government on Saturday extended one time financial grant of Rs. 10, 72,343 to 39 journalists under “Journalists Medical Welfare Scheme” for the medical treatment of ailing journalists and their dependent family members. The scheme is being implemented by the Information and Public Relations department.
The one time financial grant was finalised in a meeting of the selection committee of “Journalists Medical Welfare Scheme” chaired by Dr. AK Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD).
The meeting was attended by Rajib Prakash Baruah, Director of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) as Member Secretary; Hemanta Pegu, Deputy Secretary, IPRD; Deepak Basumatary, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations; two noted journalists–Samudra Gupta Kashyap and Mrinal Talukdar along with Dr. Bhupen Bordoloi, Joint Director, Health as Members.
The meeting thoroughly scrutinised the proforma and necessary documents submitted by the applicants before finalising the list of beneficiaries under the scheme.
Since the inception of the welfare scheme in 2012, a total amount of Rs. 69, 81,343 has been disbursed to total 157 journalists. This includes 118 journalists in previous years and 39 journalists on Saturday.