IMPHAL/UKHRUL: Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday announced a proposed increase in the monthly journalist pension from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000, and family pension from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000, during the 52nd Foundation Day celebration of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) in Imphal.
Addressing the gathering at the Manipur Press Club, the chief minister said the proposals would be placed before the State Cabinet for consideration.
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Khemchand also announced a proposed one-time relaxation for journalists who could not make their contributions to the DIPR Journalist Pension Scheme during the prolonged conflict. The relaxation would allow eligible journalists to reactivate their pension accounts, he said.
The chief minister also highlighted the economic impact of the ongoing crisis, stating that the State had witnessed a decline of more than Rs 1,200 crore in GST revenue between 2023 and 2026.
He said the revenue shortfall had put considerable pressure on the State’s economy and appealed to civil society organisations (CSOs) to avoid bandhs and blockades.
According to the chief minister, such disruptions had affected economic activity and development in the State. He called for collective efforts to create an environment conducive to economic recovery and development.
On pending government advertisements, Khemchand said bills amounting to around Rs 1 crore had already been disbursed. He said a follow-up meeting with all Heads of Departments would be held on September 25 to further deliberate on pending advertisement-related matters.
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During the programme, the chief minister also paid floral tribute at the AMWJU Memorial Stone in remembrance of journalists who had passed away.
The 52nd Foundation Day programme was attended by MLA Khongbantabam Ibomcha, secretary (IPR) Neeta Arambam, Director (IPR) Dr Th. Charanjeet Singh, Editors’ Guild Manipur president Khogenra Khomdram, AMWJU president Asem Bhakta Singh, officials, journalists and members of AMWJU, among others.
It may be noted that the proposed revision also brings into focus a larger gap in the state’s journalist welfare framework. A significant number of journalists working with digital-first and independent online news organisations in Manipur remain outside the existing institutional structure governing journalist welfare and pension benefits. While the government has proposed an increase in the pension for eligible journalists, the announcement does not address the exclusion of journalists working in the state’s growing digital news sector.
