Odisha announces Rs 15 lakh ex-gratia for journalists

Bhubaneswar, Apr 27 (IANS)
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced an ex gratia of Rs 15 lakh to the kin of a working journalist who dies of coronavirus infection while performing his or her duty.
"The journalists are sincerely carrying out their responsibility by creating awareness about the deadly coronavirus. If a working journalist dies of the virus, the State Government will provide Rs 15 lakh ex gratia to the kin," said a CMO statement.
Earlier, the Chief Minister had announced that Rs 50 lakh will be given to the kin of medical/healthcare officials and members of support services who die during the fight against COVID-19.
The State will treat them as ''martyrs'' and accord a State funeral.