In a major decision Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today declared working journalists of the state as Frontline Covid Warriors.
Approving a proposal to this effect, Mr Patnaik said the working journalists are doing a great service to the State by providing seamless news feed, making people aware of issues relating to Covid at this time and they are great support for our war against Covid.
The decision of the Chief Minister will benefit 6944 working journalists of the State who have been covered under Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana. They are getting health insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh each.
Besides, an ex gratia of Rs 15 lakh is also being provided to the next of kin of journalists who die of Covid while performing duty.
There has been a continuous demand from various journalist unions in the state to declare the working journalists as covid warriors.
Sources said over a dozen journalists in the state have died of covid infection in the state during the second phase of covid 19.
