The Jharkhand Patrakar Samman Pension Niyamawali is a dedicated scheme launched by the Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Jharkhand. It aims to provide a secure financial future for retired full-time journalists by offering a monthly pension and extending family pension benefits after their demise. This initiative recognizes the long-standing contribution of journalists to the media and society, ensuring their well-being post-retirement.
Benefits
- Financial Security: Provides a monthly pension of ₹7,500/-.
- Family Support: Offers a family pension of 50% of the journalist’s pension to the spouse.
- Lifetime Assurance: Ensures continuous support for retired journalists meeting the eligibility criteria.
- Direct Payments: Benefits are directly transferred to bank accounts for convenience and efficiency.
Eligibility
To qualify for the Jharkhand Patrakar Samman Pension Niyamawali, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Residency: Must be a permanent resident of Jharkhand.
- Profession: Must be a full-time journalist or media professional.
- Service Duration: Should have served for a minimum of 20 years in Jharkhand or undivided Bihar (pre-November 15, 2000).
- Exclusive Benefit: Must not be receiving a pension from any other media institution or government body.
- Retirement Norms: Must have retired at the age of 58 years or as per the retirement norms of their media organization.
- Accreditation: Must have an accreditation certificate issued by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations at the time of retirement.
- Criminal Record: Should not have any criminal convictions leading to imprisonment of more than two years.
Application Process
Offline Application
- Obtain Application Form:
Visit the office of the District Differently Abled Welfare Officer during office hours to request a hard copy of the prescribed application form. Alternatively, the form may be accessed via the official online portal. - Complete the Form:
Fill in all mandatory fields in the application form and attach self-attested copies of the required documents. - Submission:
Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with all mandatory documents to the Director, Information and Public Relations Department, Jharkhand. - Receipt Acknowledgment:
Request an acknowledgment receipt from the concerned authority. Ensure that the receipt includes essential details such as the submission date, time, and a unique identification number (if applicable).
Documents Required
- Self-declaration Affidavit: Verifying 20 years of full-time service as a journalist in Jharkhand.
- Service Duration Certificate: Issued by the editor(s) of the media organizations where the applicant worked.
- EPF Contribution Details: Complete records of contributions to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) for at least 20 years.
- Accreditation Certificate: Issued by the Information and Public Relations Directorate.
- Proof of Retirement Age: Documentation confirming retirement at 58 years or an organization-specific retirement letter.
- Identification Documents: Aadhaar Card or PAN Card.
- Bank Account Details: Details of a bank account with a nationalized bank.
- Annual Life Certificate: To be submitted every March.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is eligible for the scheme?
A1: Permanent residents of Jharkhand who have worked as full-time journalists for a minimum of 20 years and meet the specified retirement criteria are eligible.
Q2: What is the monthly pension amount under this scheme?
A2: Eligible journalists receive a monthly pension of ₹7,500/-.
Q3: Can the spouse of a deceased journalist claim benefits?
A3: Yes, the spouse is eligible for a family pension amounting to 50% of the journalist’s pension.
Q4: Is this scheme applicable to part-time journalists?
A4: No, the scheme is exclusively for full-time journalists.
Q5: What happens if a journalist is convicted of a crime?
A5: Applicants with criminal convictions leading to imprisonment of more than two years are ineligible for the scheme.
Q6: What documents are required for application?
A6: The application requires a self-declaration affidavit, service duration certificate, EPF contribution details, accreditation certificate, proof of retirement age, Aadhaar/PAN Card, bank account details, and an annual life certificate.
Q7: Where should the application form be submitted?
A7: The completed application should be submitted to the Director, Information and Public Relations Department, Jharkhand.
Q8: Is the scheme applicable to journalists from outside Jharkhand?
A8: No, only permanent residents of Jharkhand are eligible.
Q9: What is the minimum retirement age for this scheme?
A9: The minimum retirement age is 58 years, or as per the media organization’s retirement norms.
Q10: How is the pension amount disbursed?
A10: Pension payments are made directly to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts through online transfers.
Q11: Can a journalist apply for this scheme posthumously?
A11: No, applications must be submitted by the journalist prior to demise. However, family pension benefits are available post-demise.
Q12: What happens if false information is provided?
A12: Providing false information may lead to disqualification from the scheme and potential legal consequences.