Newspaper Distributors Submit Memorandum to Labour Minister, Seek Welfare Board

Korba: Members of the Chhattisgarh Newspaper Distributors’ Association, Korba district unit, submitted a memorandum to local MLA and State Labour Minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan on January 25, demanding the formation of a Newspaper Distributors’ Welfare Board along with several other social security measures.

The delegation reached the Labour Minister’s residence at around 11 am and apprised him of the long-pending demands of daily newspaper distributors. District president Vipendra Kumar Sahu said that the memorandum stressed the need for a Welfare Board to ensure economic security and social welfare of newspaper distributors across the State.

Among the key demands were correction of nomenclature on the Labour Department portal by replacing the term “delivery boy” with “daily newspaper distributor”, provision of pension after the age of 60 years, priority under the Right to Education (RTE) Act for the children of newspaper distributors in private schools, and issuance of ESI medical cards, insurance coverage and immediate financial assistance within a week in case of death.

The association also demanded a government scheme for providing one motorised (electric) bicycle to each newspaper distributor and making daily newspapers mandatory in all government schools and colleges to enhance students’ knowledge while promoting newspaper circulation.

Responding to the demands, the Labour Minister stated that there is no provision at his level for distribution of bicycles. However, he assured that recommendations on other demands would be forwarded to the Chief Minister for consideration.

It is noteworthy that the association had earlier met the Labour Minister on January 14, 2024, regarding the same demands, during which assurances were given.

Those present during the submission of the memorandum included district patron Reshamlal Sahu, president Vipendra Kumar Sahu, secretary Jaysingh Netam, treasurer Laxmi Rathore, joint secretary Raysingh, NTPC unit secretary Ravindra, BALCO unit treasurer Rakesh Sahu, along with Rama, Tapeshwar Rathore, Anil Giri, Rajkumar Patel, Harsh Netam, Krishna Nirmalkar and other members.