Sambalpur: The call for a pension for journalists has gained momentum, highlighted during a zonal conference organized by the Senior Journalists Association at the Journalists’ Building, hosted by the Sambalpur District Journalists Association.
Journalists representing Sambalpur, Baragada, Jharsuguda, Debagada, Subarnapur, Balangir, and Boudh gathered on Sunday to advocate for pension provisions for both retired and nearing-retirement journalists. The meeting was chaired by Subas Chandra Panigrahi, president of the District Journalists Association, while retired journalist Arjun Ranjan Panda served as the chief guest.
Kahnu Charan Nanda, the association’s state president, emphasized the necessity of pensions to alleviate financial struggles faced by journalists. He argued that such support would enhance the credibility of journalism and motivate younger individuals to pursue careers in the field.
Nanda pointed out that pension schemes for retired journalists have been established in approximately 19 states and Union territories, urging Odisha to implement similar initiatives. Currently, the scheme has yet to be enacted in Odisha.
Since 2022, the association has been in discussions with the government regarding this issue and has even approached the Orissa High Court, which instructed the state to create a pension scheme. Following the lack of action on this directive, the association filed a contempt petition. On June 23, the high court granted the government three months to address the matter.
Attendees of the meeting included Pradipta Choudhury, vice president of the Odisha Senior Journalists Association, general secretary Ashutosh Behera, senior adviser Devendra Singh, organizing secretary Biplab Mohanty, and executive committee members Diptimayee Kar, Amareswar Das, and Kuntala Behera. The District Journalists Association’s Vice President, Kishore Sahu, introduced the guests.
