Congress Unveils Ambitious Manifesto for Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections, Prioritizes Welfare of Journalists

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In a bid to make a strong pitch ahead of the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, the Congress party unveiled a comprehensive manifesto filled with promises that spanned across various sectors. Notably, the manifesto extended its commitment not only to the welfare of the citizens of the state but also to the well-being of journalists and media professionals.

The Congress party’s manifesto, known as ‘Vachan Patra,’ outlined a series of pledges, including conducting a caste survey, a 27 percent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), a farm loan waiver, and a groundbreaking promise of providing Rs 25 lakh medical insurance for all residents in the state if they come to power.

While the manifesto emphasized numerous plans for the public, it also focused on improving the lives of journalists and bolstering the media landscape in Madhya Pradesh:

1. Journalist Security Act: The Congress pledged to implement the Journalist Security Act to ensure the safety and security of journalists in the state.
2. Press Club and Journalist Family Building: The manifesto included plans for the construction of a state-of-the-art press club and a joint journalist family building equipped with modern amenities.
3. Senior Journalist Honour Fund: The monthly allowance for the Senior Journalist Honour Fund will see a substantial increase to Rs 25,000. Additionally, women journalists will be granted age limit relaxations for eligibility.
4. Free Health Insurance: The Congress promised to provide free health insurance to journalists and their families. In the unfortunate event of accidental death, a lump sum assistance of Rs 10 lakh will be granted as ex-gratia.
5. Monthly Grants for Press Clubs: The party vowed to establish rules for granting monthly financial support to state and district-level press clubs.
6. Journalist Buildings: A comprehensive program will be initiated to have a journalist building in every district.
7. Regulations for Media: New rules will be formulated concerning advertising in newspapers, magazines, news channels, and digital journalism.
8. Support for Rural and Local Newspapers: The Congress expressed its commitment to prioritize and support rural and local newspapers.
9. ‘News Cities’ Construction: Decisions will be taken regarding the construction of ‘News cities’ in metropolitan areas.
10. House Rent Purchase Scheme: Journalists will be granted priority in the allotment of houses under the House Rent Purchase Scheme. Additionally, a 50 percent interest subsidy will be provided, with an extended 60 percent for women journalists.
11. Journalists Consultation Committee: The party committed to establishing a committee comprising only journalists, which will advocate for cases related to the problems faced by journalists.
12. Education and Training: The manifesto included plans to provide facilities for the higher education of children of journalists, including opportunities to study abroad. Free training in digital journalism will also be offered.
13. Reimbursement of Train Fare: A provision will be introduced to reimburse train fare for journalists visiting pilgrimage sites.
14. Subhadra Kumari Chauhan Journalism Award: In a significant move to honor women journalists, the Congress announced the establishment of the Subhadra Kumari Chauhan Journalism Award, offering a substantial reward of Rs 2 lakh.

The Congress party’s manifesto reflects its comprehensive approach to governance and its commitment to ensuring the welfare and professional development of journalists in Madhya Pradesh, highlighting the importance of a free and vibrant media landscape in a democratic society.