Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has extended the deadline for applying to the Gopabandhu Journalist Health Insurance Scheme from August 25 to August 30.
This decision was made on the directions of the Honorable Chief Minister, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi following requests from journalists.
The Gopabandhu Journalist Health Insurance Scheme is a crucial welfare initiative by the Odisha government for working journalists.
The scheme provides a health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh to journalists and their families, ensuring access to cashless treatment at a network of both government and private hospitals.
To be eligible for the scheme, an applicant must be a journalist based in Odisha, or an Odisha-based journalist working in New Delhi for a media house registered with the Information & Public Relations (I&PR) Department. The scheme also covers up to five dependent family members, including the journalist’s spouse and up to three children under the age of 25.
For the application process, both new and renewal applicants must visit the official portal at www.owjws.odisha.gov.in. They are required to fill in their personal, educational, and dependent family details, along with information about their current workplace.
It’s important to note that the Odisha Working Journalist Welfare Scheme, of which this health insurance is a part, also provides other benefits. This includes financial assistance to the legal heirs of a journalist in case of death or permanent incapacitation.
This demonstrates the state government’s commitment to supporting the journalistic community and their families in times of need.