Parliament Question: Facilities to Government-Accredited Journalists/Senior Journalists

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1674 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025) FACILITIES TO GOVERNMENT-ACCREDITED JOURNALISTS/SENIOR JOURNALISTS

1674. SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT:

SHRI SANJAY UTTAMRAO DESHMUKH:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state: a) whether pension, free medical facilities in Government and private hospitals, housing and other facilities being provided to Government-accredited journalists/senior journalists;

b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise particularly National Capital Region of Delhi along with the time by which the said facilities are likely to be provided and if not, the reasons therefor; c) whether the Government has received any representation (charter of demands) from the "Manyata Praapt Patrakar Kalyan Samiti Delhi" (Accredited Journalist Welfare Committee Delhi) in this regard; and d) if so, the point-wise details of the demands mentioned in the charter of demands along with the steps taken by the Government to fulfill the demands? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to (d) : The Government of India is committed to the welfare of journalists. Journalists accredited with the Press Information Bureau (PIB) are covered under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) facilities across the country for themselves and their family members.This includes their treatment at Government/CGHS empaneled private hospitals at CGHS rates.

Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS) The Government implements the Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS) to provide one time ex- gratia relief to journalists/media personnel or their families in cases of extreme hardship due to the death of a journalist.

Relief is also extended to journalists who suffer from permanent disability or are diagnosed with major listed ailments. Financial support is further provided to journalists who face serious injuries due to accidents requiring hospitalization.

Journalists accredited by PIB and State/UT Governments as well as non-accredited journalists are covered under this scheme.

Under the JWS scheme, Government has provided financial assistance to 402 Journalists/Media Personnel or their families from 2014-15 to 2024-25.

As regards the representation received from "Manyata Praapt Patrakar Kalyan Samiti Delhi”, newspapers in India are registered under the Press and Periodicals Registration Act, 2023 and its 2024 Rules, with the Press Seva Portal providing an easy, accessible online system for registration.

The Central Bureau of Communications (CBC) issues print media advertisements transparently and has recently increased advertising rates by up to 26%.

Nominations to committees of the CBC, PIB, and Press Council of India are made as per the corresponding policy guidelines. *****