West Bengal launches health insurance scheme for journalists

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has launched the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana, a health insurance scheme designed to provide healthcare coverage to journalists across more than 1,900 hospitals. While announcing the welfare measures, Adhikari stated that while the media is free to criticize the government and the BJP, journalists should prioritize national interest and avoid language that could hurt religious or community sentiments.

In response to the announcement, the Assam Union of Working Journalists (AUWJ) welcomed the move, noting that such measures recognize the service of the media fraternity. The AUWJ has since urged Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to implement similar social security protections in Assam, including comprehensive health insurance and improved pension benefits, citing that many journalists in the state still face financial constraints regarding medical treatment.