BJP government in Jharkhand to pay Journalist 15000 to write on Welfare schemes before the poll

Ahead of the Assembly elections in Jharkhand the Raghubar Das government has introduced a 'scheme' to publicize its welfare projects by getting journalists to write about it.

According to an advertisement published by the State Information and Public Relation department, 30 Journalists would be selected the state will pay Rs 15,000 to the selected journalists to prepare four articles on government programs. Out of these 120 stories, 25 would be selected to be compiled in a booklet. Those writers whose articles get selected for booklet will be provided with an additional Rs 5,000 each.

The government has not taken this initiative on its own. Jharkhand BJP spokesperson Deendayal added...Several journalists had been asking for such a scheme for a long time. If the journalists demand something from the government, then the government always tries to fulfill their demands.

This whole process will be completed within two days before September 18. As per media reports. Election policy is likely to announce poll dates for upcoming elections including that of Jharkhand on September 19. Jharkhand assembly polls are due before year-end.

When asked if the advertisement was not akin to 'paid news', Ajay Nath Jha, Deputy Director of State I&PR department, said, "it is not. Applications have been invited from journalists to write about government welfare schemes. The write-ups could be success stories and critical pieces. We want a proper and independent assessment of our projects." Mr. Jha informed us that the department had received huge number of applications from journalists.

The Council of Ministers in its last meeting on September 11 had approved the scheme Mukhyamantri Patrakar Jeevan Vima Yojna (Chief Minister Journalist Life Insurance Scheme). Under the new scheme, the Jharkhand government would pay the insurance premium on behalf of accredited journalists who would be benefited from the scheme.