*CM Sawant accepts GUJ proposals, announces 50% hike in pension*

PORVORIM:The Chief minister, Mr Pramod Sawant, has accepted proposals that were placed before him by the Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ). In his budget speech on Friday, the Chief Minister announced a 50% hike in journalists’ monthly pension, from Rs.10,000 per month to Rs.15,000.

The Chief Minister also announced the Ex-Gratia scheme for working journalists with an assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the family through a financial institution/insurance agency in the event of the death of a journalist.

The Goa Union of Journalists welcomes the welfare benefits for journalists that were announced by the Chief Minister.

Earlier, a delegation from the Goa Union of Journalists led by president, Mr Rajtilak Naik, treasurer, Mr Amresh Parab, organising secretary, Mr Upendra Naik and executive committee member, Mr Loukik Shilkar had submitted a list of demands to the Chief Minister during the pre-budget consultation meeting. The demands included proposal to raise the journalists’ monthly pension amount from Rs.10,000 per /-pm to Rs.15,000, proposal to revive the Ex-Gratia scheme for working journalists in the event of the death of a journalist

GUJ had also proposed the introduction of a dedicated housing scheme for full-time working journalists and a proposal to extend subsidy to purchase EV cars under the existing scheme.