Amidst the fervor of the Bihar Assembly elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has taken a significant and welcome step for journalists. The state government has announced an increase in the monthly assistance provided under the Bihar Journalist Honor Pension Scheme from ₹6,000 to ₹15,000. This announcement will directly benefit hundreds of senior and accredited journalists in the state. The Chief Minister himself shared this decision on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and also issued instructions to the concerned department.
Dependents Will Also Receive Financial Support
The government has not only increased the pension for journalists, but has also significantly increased the assistance provided to the dependent spouse in the event of their death. This amount will now be ₹10,000 per month instead of ₹3,000. The Chief Minister described this as a symbol of the government's sensitivity and respect towards journalists. He stated that the government is fully committed to protecting the social and economic interests of journalists.
The Role of Journalists is Crucial in Democracy
Along with this decision, CM Nitish Kumar also emphasized the role of journalists. He said, "Journalists are the fourth pillar of democracy. They make a significant contribution to social development. Our government has always taken care of their facilities and honor so that they can practice impartial journalism without any pressure." Nitish Kumar also reiterated that journalists should have a secure and dignified life even after retirement.
Prioritizing Public Welfare Before Elections
The Bihar government has been taking a series of public welfare decisions these days. After journalists, the social security pension for the elderly, disabled, and widows has also been increased from ₹400 to ₹1100. At the same time, free electricity up to 125 units has also been announced to provide relief to the general public. According to experts, all these announcements are part of the election preparations, but they have been made keeping public interest in mind, which is receiving good support from the public.
This step will not only improve the living standards of journalists but will also strengthen the positive image of the government.
