CALL FOR ACCIDENTAL INSURANCE AND MEDICAL TREATMENT OF JOURNALISTS

Kathmandu, Nov 7: The Nepal Press Union has asked the government to arrange funds for accidental insurance and medical treatment fund for the media persons.

            Submitting a memorandum to Minister for Information and Communications Dr Minendra Rijal on Friday, the NPU demanded that Rs 500,000 for accidental insurance and Rs 100,000 for medical treatment fund be arranged.

            The NPU urged Minister Rijal for government's initiative to constitute the fund comprising 40 per cent from the journalists and 60 per cent from the media investors. The Working Journalist Act and Working Journalist Regulations lack the provision of accidental insurance and medical fund for the media persons.

            NPU Chairman Badri Sigdel submitted the seven-point memorandum to Minister Rijal.Receiving the memorandum, Dr Rijal said that the government was in favor of the working journalists and added that the government was thinking to implement the Working Journalist Act based on consensus of investors and working journalists.

            Likewise, Minister Rijal said that the government was always alert for the security of journalists and urged them to firmly stand in favor of truth.