Kalyan Trust Proof of Govt's Will to Protect ists: State Minister

As the mass media has expanded in the last fifteen years, various initiatives have been taken for the welfare of journalists. State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat commented that the ism Welfare Trust is proof of the good will of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led government to protect journalists.

The State Minister made this comment at the 30th meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Bangladesh ist Welfare Trust in the meeting room of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the secretariat on Sunday (June 9). The meeting was chaired by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The State Minister said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina believes in the expansion and freedom of the media as well as the welfare and protection of journalists. As the mass media has expanded in the last fifteen years, various initiatives have been taken for the welfare of journalists. In 2014, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina established the ists Welfare Trust by enacting the Bangladesh ists Welfare Trust Act. The formation of this trust proves that the government under his leadership is journalist-friendly.

He also said that the ist Welfare Trust is regularly giving welfare grants to the distressed, poor, accident injured journalists and families of deceased journalists. In the third and last phase of the current financial year, a grant of 2 crore 8 lakh taka is being given. The program of providing scholarships for the education of talented children of journalists from this trust is also in process. These activities are an expression of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government's commitment to the protection and welfare of journalists.

The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting also reiterated the need to ensure more transparency and professionalism in the selection of journalists for providing welfare grants from the trust.

Bangladesh /FM