Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Accredited Journalists Association (JKAJA) has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to introduce a comprehensive social security framework for journalists, including a welfare fund, pension scheme, healthcare benefits and reconstitution of the accreditation committee.
In a statement, JKAJA president Ashwani Kumar said many working and retired journalists in Jammu and Kashmir continue to face financial hardship, health challenges and a lack of institutional support despite their contribution to public service and democratic governance.
The association demanded the introduction of a Journalists’ Welfare Fund Scheme, a monthly pension of ₹20,000 for retired accredited journalists, constitution of a Jammu and Kashmir Media Commission and reconstitution of the accreditation committee.
It also sought inclusion of journalists in a subsidised government healthcare scheme on the lines of Kerala’s MEDISEP model and the revival of the proposed Journalists’ Welfare Fund, stating that ₹2 crore had been sanctioned for the scheme during the previous PDP-BJP government but could not be implemented.
To create a sustainable corpus for the welfare fund, the association proposed earmarking 10 per cent of the government’s advertisement budget released through the Information Department until media organisations establish adequate social security mechanisms for their employees.
The association also called for the constitution of a Jammu and Kashmir Media Commission, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, to examine structural challenges facing the media sector and recommend policy reforms, including social security measures for journalists.
Ashwani Kumar said retired journalists often struggled with the absence of pensions, health insurance and institutional support, and expressed concern over what he described as increasing legal intimidation and professional insecurity faced by journalists while performing their duties.
He urged the government to take early action to ensure financial security, healthcare and institutional support for media professionals after retirement.
