Patna : In a bold pre-election move, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has unveiled a revised and expanded Journalist Honor Scheme, under which senior journalists will now receive a monthly pension of ₹15,000. Aimed at extending financial security to veteran voices of the fourth estate, this scheme is being viewed as a strategic masterstroke just months ahead of the state assembly elections.

“Those who’ve dedicated their lives to upholding democracy through journalism deserve a dignified life post-retirement,” CM Nitish Kumar said during the official announcement. The move has been widely appreciated by media professionals across Bihar.

As part of the scheme, if a pension-recipient journalist passes away, their widow or widower will be entitled to a family pension of ₹10,000 per month—a humane inclusion that strengthens the social safety net for journalistic families.

Who Qualifies for the Pension?

The Bihar government has clearly defined eligibility criteria to ensure genuine beneficiaries are covered:

1.Experience: Minimum of 15 years working with a registered newspaper or television news channel.

2. Age: Must be 60 years or older.

3. Domicile: Must be a permanent resident of Bihar.

4. No Other Pension: Not availing benefits from EPFO or any other government pension schemes.

5. Clean Record: No conviction in any criminal case.

The scheme is a revised version of an earlier policy that failed to reach many deserving journalists due to technical and eligibility barriers. The new model simplifies disbursement by ensuring direct transfer to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts, enhancing transparency and ease of access.

The announcement has sparked celebration within Bihar’s media circles. Senior journalists and press bodies have hailed the decision as long-overdue recognition of journalistic service to society.

As political analysts term this a “timely populist but progressive policy”, it remains to be seen how much impact this will have on the ground—both socially and electorally.