Agartala: The council of ministers in a meeting on Thursday decided to bring accredited journalists of Tripura under a health insurance scheme up to Rs 3 lakh in a year where the state will sponsor 80 per cent of the annual premium while 20 per cent would be borne by the individual.
Terming the decision as ‘historic’ and ‘reflection of the pro-media mindset of the government’ Information Minister Sushanta Choudhury said that the journalists accredited with the government between the age of 21 years and 65 years not enrolled in other government health insurance schemes including Ayushman Bharat will be considered eligible for the benefits of the scheme.
There are 177 accredited journalists in the state as of now and the government has decided to increase the figure for whoever fulfils the accreditation criteria, Choudhury said adding, “We have invited applications for fresh accreditation and about 250 new applications have been received so far and more are expected. After scrutiny, the addition of enrollment of journalists would be made by which the benefit of health insurance along with others would be provided.”
The state government is all set to invite tenders from IRDA registered insurance companies and hopefully, in a couple of months the process would be completed, he added.
