Initiatives have been taken to ensure financial grants for deprived, tortured, and professional journalists, remarked ABM Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Director of the Bangladesh Journalists' Welfare Trust. Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Rangpur stated that an initiative will be taken to ensure healthcare services at low costs for journalists and their families through various public and private hospitals.
During the event, checks totaling 28 lakh 60 thousand taka were distributed among 54 journalists, including deceased ones, across 6 districts of the Rangpur division.**
Among them, 22 are from Rangpur, 13 from Dinajpur, 8 from Kurigram, 8 from Gaibandha, and 1 each from Thakurgaon and Lalmonirhat. This total includes the families of 4 deceased journalists.
Jointly organized by the Bangladesh Journalists' Welfare Trust and the Rangpur Union of Journalists (RPUJ), the event featured Trust's Deputy Director (Finance and Administration) ABM Rafiqul Islam as the chief guest.
Presided over by Deputy Commissioner Israt Jahan and conducted by RPUJ General Secretary Sarker Mazharul Mannan, the program was attended by RPUJ President Salehuzzaman Saleh, Additional District Administrator (General) Ramiz Alam, and Additional District Administrator (Overall) Christopher Himel Richil as special guests. Other speakers included Dinajpur Union of Journalists General Secretary Mahfuzul Islam Ripon, RPUJ Organizing Secretary Badsha Osmani, Treasurer Mominul Islam Ripon, Office Secretary Harun Or Rashid Sohel, Gaibandha Press Club General Secretary Abedur Rahman Swapan, and Kurigram Press Club Executive Member Rezaul Karim Reza, among others.
Read nextDhobaura Upazila BNP Hosts Discussion Session and Rally Marking National Revolution & Solidarity DaySpeaking as the chief guest, Trust Deputy Director ABM Rafiqul Islam said, "The government has taken initiatives to increase the budget of the Welfare Trust. Through this, a greater number of journalists can be brought under the purview of grants."
He urged everyone concerned to work accurately to bring deprived, tortured, ailing, and financially insolvent professional journalists under these grants in accordance with the rules.
He further added, "A policy is being formulated regarding uniform financial grants for all deceased journalists, both from cities and villages."
In her presidential speech, Deputy Commissioner Israt Jahan said, "Mass media helps keep society, administration, and the state accountable. Media workers must ensure that by guaranteeing objective reporting." She also raised a demand to increase the allocation for the Journalists' Welfare Trust and stated, "Everything necessary will be done to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with public and private hospitals for low-cost healthcare services for journalists and their families in Rangpur and across the division."
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Rangpur Bureau • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
