The present government has started a health insurance scheme for government-accredited journalists working in the state. There will be scope for getting treatment services up to Rs 3 lakh annually under the health insurance scheme.
The state government has taken initiative to provide accreditation cards to journalists to bring more journalists under health insurance, said Information & Cultural Affairs Minister Sushanta Chowdhury after distributing accreditation cards to journalists working in the state in a programme organized by the Information & Cultural Affairs department at the conference hall of the Secretariat on Tuesday (Jan 17). Accreditation cards were officially handed over to 11 journalists of print media and to 13 journalists of electronic media.
Chowdhury said in the programme, the ICA department is committed to providing the long demand of journalists of the state for accreditation cards. The initiative was taken to bring total of 337 accredited journalists (including new and old) under health insurance.
As a result, the journalists will be able to take treatment services from different well-known hospitals of the country. He said accreditation cards have been provided to 189 new journalists. Besides, renewed accreditation cards were provided to 141 journalists and accreditation cards were provided to 25 senior journalists. The number of accredited journalists in Tripura is 337, at present.
He said those whose names have been missed out in the accreditation list may apply for it in the future. He said, the process to provide accreditation cards will continue.
The ICA Minister urged the journalists to make proper use of their accreditation cards and safeguard its dignity. Journalists play an important role in strengthening democracy. The ICA Minister hoped that the journalists will play an appropriate role in further strengthening the state by performing their duties well as the fourth pillar of Democracy.
The ICA Minister spoke elaborately about health insurance and said, the health insurance premium for journalists of 21 to 35 years of age is Rs 5 thousand 595 without GST annually. Out of which, the state government will bear Rs 4 thousand 476 and the journalists will have to pay Rs 1 thousand 119.
The health insurance premium for journalists of 35 to 45 years of age is Rs 7 thousand 947 without GST annually. Out of which, the state government will bear Rs 6 thousand 358 and the journalists will have to pay Rs 1 thousand 589.
The health insurance premium for journalists of 45 to 55 years of age is Rs 13 thousand 672 without GST annually. Out of which, the state government will bear Rs 10 thousand 938 and the journalists will have to pay Rs 2 thousand 734.
The health insurance premium for journalists of 55 to 65 years of age is Rs 17 thousand 907 without GST annually. Out of which, the state government will bear Rs 14 thousand 326 and the journalists will have to pay Rs 3 thousand 581.
The ICA Minister had called on the journalists to renew their health insurance every year.
Secretary of the ICA department Dr. P. K. Chakraborty said, health insurance for journalists is a huge step taken by the state government. National Insurance Company has taken responsibility for insurance.
Director of the ICA department Ratan Biswas said, health insurance is a completely cashless system. Those who have not yet applied for renewal of their accreditation cards, may contact the ICA department.