Dhaka, Sept 10 (V7N) – State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury has said the government has taken an initiative to increase the allocation for the Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust from Taka 6 crore to Taka 25 crore, describing it as a policy decision aimed at expanding support for journalists.

He said a proposal has already been made to increase the allocation as the ministry has taken a policy decision in this regard. "If we are unable to provide the full amount in this fiscal year, an allocation of Taka 25 crore for our journalist brothers and sisters will be approved by next fiscal year," the state minister said while addressing the 31st founding anniversary programme of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) today.

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Prime Minister's Political Adviser and BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman, State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Habibur Rashid, State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque, Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed and senior journalist Shafik Rehman, among others, spoke on the occasion.

The Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust provides financial assistance to journalists and their families in times of need, including medical treatment, death benefits and other welfare support. The proposed increase from Tk 6 crore to Tk 25 crore represents a significant expansion of the fund, which will enable the Trust to extend support to a larger number of journalists.

The announcement comes as the government has been taking steps to support the media sector and address the welfare concerns of journalists. The Journalist Welfare Trust was established under the Journalist (Welfare) Trust Act to provide grants to distressed journalists, with a board of trustees chaired by the Information Minister overseeing its operations.

The government has also been working on other initiatives to support the media industry, including the formation of the 10th Wage Board for journalists and efforts to address concerns related to the welfare of media professionals.

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