Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman has said the government will move quickly to begin work on a new Wage Board to ensure job and livelihood security for journalists.
Speaking at a weekly briefing on the progress of various ministries at the PID, the adviser said quality journalism cannot be expected without ensuring the financial security and livelihoods of journalists.
“Unless we can ensure journalists’ jobs and livelihoods, we cannot expect good journalism,” he said.
Addressing concerns over the implementation of the new National Pay Scale and its possible impact on inflation, Zahed Ur Rahman said there is no risk of an abnormal rise in market prices.
He said many government officials and employees have already reached salary levels close to the proposed new scale through regular annual increments, dismissing concerns that the new pay structure would cause inflation to double.
The adviser also said Family Cards will be distributed to 41 lakh families across the country by the end of the year to help ease inflationary pressure. The programme is expected to directly benefit around two crore people from marginalised communities.
