Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) today urges the State government in Dispur to initiate for compensations to recently died two journalists due to Covid-19 complications. The forum reminds that Dispur decided to approve Rs 50 lakh insurance cover for journalists (after practicing doctors, nurses, police personnel, etc) who succumb to Covid-19 on duty. In a statement, JFA said this on Thursday.
Lately, two Assam based scribes died of corona aggravated physical ailments. Senior journalist from Barak valley Ashim Dutta passed away at Silchar medical college hospital on 7 September. Dutta (65), who worked for a Bengali daily was suffering from renal problems and went for dialysis regularly. He was admitted to the hospital after testing positive for the virus infection.
Earlier, the State lost its first scribe to the pandemic as Dhaneswar Rabha (35) breathed his last at Guwahati medical college hospital. Hailed from Kacharaital village in Udalguri locality, the rural correspondent was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and put on the regular dialysis for some time. Rabha tested positive for Covid-19 and was hospitalized where he died on 6 September.
JFA president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria urge State chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and State health, finance, etc minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma to take personal interest in compensating the bereaved families of Rabha and Dutta as an appreciation to the media fraternity for its pivotal role during the Covid-19 pandemic.
