AUWJ urges Assam to match Bengal journalist welfare measures

GUWAHATI, September 6, 2026 — The Assam Union of Working Journalists (AUWJ) has welcomed West Bengal Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari’s reported announcement of health insurance coverage for journalists, a one-time Durga Puja bonus and a monthly pension of Rs 5,000 for retired journalists, and urged Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma to introduce similar welfare measures for journalists in the state.

AUWJ president Madhusudan Medhi and general secretary Anjan Kumar Sharma said journalists work round the clock to inform people about government programmes, activities and schemes while bringing public grievances to the attention of the authorities. Despite their vital role in society, a large number of journalists in Assam continue to remain deprived of legitimate benefits and entitlements, the association said.

The AUWJ pointed out that the Assam government introduced a pension scheme for retired journalists in 2017. However, it said the existing provision needs to be substantially strengthened, particularly as the number of beneficiaries is capped at a maximum of 20 a year.

The association also called for an enhancement of the existing pension amount of Rs 8,000 per month and demanded a comprehensive health insurance scheme covering working journalists in Assam.

The AUWJ further raised concerns over the non-issuance of identity cards by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) to several mainstream journalists despite their having submitted the required documents.

It also alleged that various committees constituted under the DIPR to deal with media-related matters have failed to meet regularly for a prolonged period. The association called for such committees to be dissolved and reconstituted to make them functional and representative.

Meanwhile, in a separate development concerning journalists in West Bengal, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged Chief Minister Adhikari to drop the investigation against two journalists of Bengali daily Anandabazar Patrika following the registration of a criminal case against them on August 28 under laws relating to hate speech and insulting religious sentiments.

Journalists must be able to report on political violence and public unrest without facing retaliatory criminal complaints, the CPJ said in a statement.

The AUWJ’s appeal comes amid renewed attention to journalist welfare and press freedom, with the association urging the Assam government to recognise the contribution of journalists through stronger social security, healthcare and institutional support.