Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik declares journalists frontline Covid warriors, presses for priority vaccination

 Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has declared journalists frontline Covid warriors and pressed for priority vaccination.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has pressed for priority vaccination of journalists in the state and declared them frontline Covid warriors. The decision will benefit 6,944 working journalists of the state.

A statement from CMO stated, "Approving a proposal to this effect, the Chief Minister said working journalists are doing a great service to the state by providing seamless news feed, making people aware on issues relating to Covid at this very trying times, and they are a great support for our war against Covid-19."

Besides, an ex gratia of Rs 15 lakh is also being provided to the next of kin of journalists who die of Covid while performing duty.

Four journalists in Odisha had died during the first wave of Covid-19.

During the second wave, as many as 11 journalists have succumbed to the virus as of May 1, 2021.

The Odisha government had on March written to the Union Health Ministry to include journalists as frontline workers for priority vaccination in all age groups

However, the central government is yet to respond to the letter of Odisha.