Under severe criticism for ignoring the plight of journalists in the state in the last 13 years of Naveen Patnaik’s rule, the Odisha Government has finally increased the Welfare Fund for Journalists from Rs 1.66 crore to Rs 5 crore. The decision was taken to woo the scribes ahead of the civic polls and general elections in the state.

The Welfare Fund for Journalists was just Rs 16 earlier, but it was hiked to Rs 1.5 crore in the current budget. Later, the amount was fixed at Rs 1.66 crore. which was still not enough and drew flak from all quarters.

The hike in Welfare Fund was approved by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who has not called a single press conference in the last 13 years. Hopefully, the latest development will help in bridging the gap between media and the CM.