Kolkata: On September 8, while observing West Bengal police day, chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced a special ‘Durga Pujo’ bonus of Rs 2,000 for all accredited journalists in Kolkata and Rs 1,000 for those in other districts.
This is along with a host of other social and financial benefits that were announced for the state police force, civic police, health workers and ASHA workers of the state. The question is why does the government want to burn holes in the already depleting state exchequer to pay journalists, who are private employees?
While making the announcement, Banerjee said, “We (the government) may be poor, but we have a large heart and want to share the joy with everyone.”
Since March 2016, the Bengal government has provided health insurance for all accredited journalists under the ‘Maavoi’ scheme. Under the scheme, journalists accredited by the state government until the age of 65, including the retired, and their immediate family members are covered.
In 2017, Banerjee’s government rolled out a monthly pension of Rs 2,500 for retired accredited scribes of the state. To avail the benefit, the journalist must have professional service of at least 15 years and must not be drawing any pension from any other source.
It is also well-known that many states offer travel, health, and educational benefits to journalists. In states like Andhra Pradesh, journalists can even get a plot of land at a subsidised price.
Even then, the question remains unanswered.
Speaking to The Wire, Lok Sabha MP Saugata Roy, who is also vice-president of Trinamool Congress’s West Bengal unit, said, “Journalists are performing an important constitutional duty and our government recognises that. This is the state government’s way of respecting their work.” When asked if this announcement has a political undertone as the state goes to polls in less than a year and friendly media always helps, Roy laughed and said, “Is it possible to have friendly media with just Rs 2,000? This is just a statement of intent by the state government.”
Representative image. Photo: Reuters
Scribes welcome move
The Wire spoke to at least ten senior journalists from Kolkata to get their views on this issue. Most have welcomed the decision, however, they did not want to be named.
A senior Press Club of Kolkata functionary said, “I welcome this decision by the state government. It shows that the state recognises to professional journalists. The amount is not much, to my understanding this decision will have no bearing on free press and for it to critique the government, wherever necessary.”
Retired journalist Biswajit Roy, who had spent over 40 years in the profession said, “I am an anti-establishment journalist. I never shied away from expressing my opinions. But now I understand, toward the fag end of life, when a journalist has nothing, no security, even meagre support of Rs 1,000-2,000 is valuable. At least, one can buy medicines.”
Commenting on the bonus to journalists by the state government, he said, “This is a welcome gesture, particularly due to the COVID-19 situation, when many journalists are facing retrenchment and pay cuts. But at the same time, this human gesture should not come with conditions. It should not silence us, our conscience and professional credo.”
Another senior editor of a national daily said, “It is a mix of good and bad. Also, there is nothing new here, journalists in this country, especially senior ones, have always got something or the other from governments, from every government. I can’t name a single newspaper in this country which has not taken land from the government. But with the prevailing COVID-19 situation, life has been extremely hard for journalists as plenty of them lost jobs. In such a time, even Rs 2,000 is a lot, at least in Bengal.”
Another senior editor of a newspaper, who doesn’t want to be named said, “I guess it’s election time, and she (Mamata Banerjee) wants to keep reporters happy. This is more of a gesture than a bribe. Petty amount. She’s a master when it comes to gestures. I see nothing wrong in it.”
Not everyone is pleased with the issue. Indrajit Kundu, associate editor of India Today told The Wire, “It’s a sad commentary on journalists in Bengal, the fact that politicians here believe they can dole out sops and win over journalists. But then, I am not surprised.”