29 retired scribes availing pension

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 10 : Even as the State Government sanctions Rs 20 lakh as grant-in-aid for Manipur Working Journalists Pension Scheme (MWJPS) every year, the amount is not adequate to provide pension to just 29 retired journalists. Notably, the number of pensioners from the profession will grow in the next few years as many more journalists are nearing their retirement age.
Altogether 29 retired journalists (above 60 years) recognised by Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), Manipur receive pension under MWJPS currently.
Of these 29 pensioners who had worked at different media houses, 18 are family pensioners while the remaining 11 are regular pensioners.
While family pensioners get Rs 5,000 per month, regular pensioners get Rs 8,000.
Altogether Rs 1,78,000 is being spent on providing  pension to these 29 retired journalists every month and the same amounts to Rs 21,36,000 when counted annually.
The fund (Rs 20 lakh) allocated for the pension scheme in a year, however is Rs 1,36,000 short of the actual requirement.
A well placed source said that many more journalists will attain the age of 60 years in the next few years and they too will get retired automatically.
The source said that there is a need to increase the amount sanctioned for the journalist pension scheme as the number of pensioners will increase in the next few years.
Currently 268 working journalists are enrolled for the journalists pension scheme with 86 approved in 2023.
Journalists  who are in the age group of 18-45 and possess identity cards issued by DIPR can apply for the pension scheme.
In case, any journalist quits from the scheme prematurely he/she  may withdraw the amount he/she contributed for his or her share to the pension scheme but won't get any interest.
The number of pensioner journalists is low in Manipur as many people quit the profession before attaining the retirement age while many others don't pay their subscription amount regularly and as such their accounts inactive.
Many other journalists have also quit from the profession on health grounds.
It may be mentioned  that the pension amount for  retired journalists was increased from Rs 4000 (regular pension) and Rs 2000 (family pension) per month to Rs 8000 and  Rs 5,000 respectively after the coming of the BJP Government in 2017.
The BJP Government, however, hasn't translated their assurance of increasing the pension amount to Rs 10,000 per month as of yet.
The retired  journalists who receive regular pension are N Tombi Raj, Salam Bharat Bhusan, Iboyaima Laithangbam, Saikhom Jugol, Leikhuram Krishnamurti, A Ghanasyam Sharma, Pukhrambam Ibochouba, Maibam Rajen, Laishram Kumar and Pechimayum Manglem.
Retired journalists whose families get pension, on the other  hand, are K Pramodini, Phanjoubam ongbi Jamini Devi, Sinam Ibemcha Devi, Thokchom Memcha Devi, Ningthoukhongjam Anita Devi, Phanjoubam Sanjukta, Thokchom Thambalmacha Devi, Khongbantabam Roma Devi, L Ibetombi Devi, Samurailatpam Gomti Devi, Darrokim Amo, W Ibeton Devi, Keisham Nandini Devi, G Shantikumari Devi, Leishiwon Shaiza, Kangujam Manitombi Devi, Nongmaithem Nabami and Khumukcham Indira Devi.