Journalists' Health Card application deadline should be extended: Sambadika Milita Mancha

Bhubaneswar(By Abhishek Mohanty): The Sambadika Milita Mancha (United Forum of Journalists) demanded extension of Journalists' Health Card application deadline.

The Odisha government has increased the coverage under the Gopabandhu Journalist Health Insurance Scheme from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. This benefit is available to working journalists, their spouses, and children. However, the deadline for renewing old journalist health cards and applying for new ones has been set for August 22.

Owing to technical issues — specifically, the government-provided website not opening properly on mobile devices — many journalists are facing difficulties in submitting their applications.

If the deadline is not extended, many eligible journalists across the state may miss out on this benefit. 

Lingaraj Sahoo, Convenor of the Mancha, has urged the government to extend the application deadline for both the renewal of old cards and submission of new applications.