Families of journalists who will die from coronavirus get Tk 3 lakh each
Info Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said the government has decided to provide financial support of Tk 3 lakh to every victim's relatives from the Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust.
"We have made a decision to provide economical support of Tk 3 lakh to every victim's spouse and children from the Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust. Six families have already received the support," he explained at a view-exchange ending up in the executive committee customers of Jatiya Press Golf club (JPC) at his ministry in Dhaka.
The minister said there is a request to press outlets to stay vigilant against the rumour mongers from the start of the coronavirus pandemic and keep their respective mass media running. "We find that the mass media outlets are open despite all adversities," he added.
But, Hasan said, various journalists have been contaminated with the virus plus some of these died. "We have decided to provide financial support of Tk 3 lakh to every victim's family from the Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust. Six family members have previously received the support," he added.
Besides, the minister said, journalists, who've recently become jobless, remained out of jobs and are not having their wages for long, would come beneath the purview of special advice about each getting Tk 10,000 according to the directive of the Prime Minister. Journalist unions, press clubs and deputy commissioner office buildings are providing works with, he added.
About the JPC's financial crisis in the prevailing situation, the minister said, the authorities can say about the level of coronavirus situation. "Even so, I have observed in some papers that the outbreak is on the decline. Everything is going to open in phases for the sake of lives and livelihoods. In this context, opening the Press Golf club in a restricted scale could possibly be considered," he added.
He said the offering and publications of papers have declined through the pandemic.
In this example, the minister said, he has taken measures to send out letters to every ministry to pay the outstanding bills of newspapers.
JPC president Saiful Alam, basic secretary Farida Yeasmin, senior vice president Omar Faruque, treasurer Shyamol Datta, joint secretary Mainul Alam, executive associates Quddus Affrad, Abdal Ahmed and Zahiduzzaman Faruque, amongst others, were within the meeting.
