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Key Points

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a major hike in pensions for retired journalists, more than doubling the amount. The move comes months before the state assembly elections, signaling a focus on welfare measures. The CM emphasized the media's role as democracy's fourth pillar while announcing the hike. The decision has been welcomed by JD(U) leaders as a step toward supporting impartial journalism.

Key Points: Nitish Kumar Doubles Journalists Pension Ahead of Bihar Elections

  • Nitish Kumar raises journalists' pension to Rs 15,000 monthly
  • Spouses of deceased journalists to get Rs 10,000
  • Move comes ahead of Bihar Assembly elections
  • JD(U) praises decision as support for democracy's fourth pillar
2 min read

Nitish Kumar announces over two-fold increase in journalists' pension

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar hikes journalists' pension from Rs 6,000 to Rs 15,000, emphasizing media's role as democracy's fourth pillar.

Nitish Kumar announces over two-fold increase in journalists' pension
"Journalists are the fourth pillar of democracy, and CM Nitish always thinks about them. – JD(U) MLC Neeraj Kumar"

Patna, July 26

In a significant move just months ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday announced a major hike in the pension amount provided to retired journalists under the Bihar Patrakar Samman Pension Yojana.

The announcement was made via social media early in the morning.

The monthly pension has now been increased from Rs 6,000 to Rs 15,000, an over two-fold hike.

In addition, the family pension for the dependent spouse of a deceased pension-recipient journalist has been increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000 per month.

Sharing details of the decision, CM Nitish posted, "I am happy to inform that under the Bihar Patrakar Samman Pension Scheme, now all eligible retired journalists will receive a monthly pension of Rs 15,000. The dependent spouse of a deceased journalist will now receive Rs 10,000 per month."

He said the government had long been deliberating on a respectable support system for retired media professionals and termed the press as the "fourth pillar of democracy".

The Chief Minister emphasised that journalists play an essential role in socio-political development and should have the freedom and financial security to perform their duties "impartially and fearlessly".

Notably, CM Nitish has rolled out welfare announcements across different sectors in recent weeks.

Earlier, the Nitish Kumar government had increased social security pension from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 to benefit widows, disabled persons, and senior citizens under different government schemes.

Chief Minister Nitish had also announced 125 units of free electricity per month for every household in the state starting August 1. This will benefit 1.67 crore families in Bihar.

Soon after Chief Minister Nitish announced the scheme, JD(U) MLC Neeraj Kumar appreciated the move of the Bihar government.

"Journalists are the fourth pillar of democracy, and CM Nitish always thinks about them. I sincerely thank the Chief Minister for it," the JD(U) MLC said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While this is a good move, isn't it suspicious that all these welfare announcements are coming just before elections? Politicians suddenly remember journalists and common people when votes are needed 🤔
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Ananya R
My father was a journalist in Patna for 35 years. He passed away last year and my mother was struggling with the meager pension. This increase to ₹10,000 will be life-changing for her. Emotional to see this news 😊
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Vikram M
Good initiative but what about journalists who work for small vernacular newspapers? The eligibility criteria should be made more inclusive. Many rural journalists still left out of such schemes.
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Kavya N
After free electricity and now this, Nitish Kumar is really going all out! But where is the money coming from? Hope this doesn't mean more taxes for middle class next year...
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Nikhil C
Journalists deserve this and more! They risk their lives reporting truth to power. ₹15,000 is still modest compared to corporate pensions but definitely a step in right direction 👍
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Priya S
Hope this pension comes with proper implementation. In Bihar, many good schemes get stuck in bureaucracy. Government should ensure quick disbursement to all eligible journalists without 'speed money' demands.

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