PKNSJBF

Patrakar Kritadnyata Nidhi Scheme (Journalist Benevolent Fund)

Registered journalists in Goa can receive financial assistance of up to ₹2,00,000 for emergencies such as medical treatment, marriage, and education. Eligible applicants must have worked continuously in a newspaper establishment in Goa for at least three years and can access funds for various needs including medical expenses, scholarships for dependents, and funeral costs.

State Cash

States / UT: Goa

Nodal department: Information and Publicity Department

Scheme for: Individual

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): No

Categories: Science, IT & Communications, Social welfare & Empowerment

Sub-categories: Financial assistance

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: Journalist, Financial Assistance, Education, Marriage, Medical

Details

Launched in 2010, the scheme "Patrakar Kritadnyata Nidhi Scheme (Journalist Benevolent Fund)" by the Department of Information and Publicity, Government of Goa aims to provide immediate financial assistance to needy journalists in indigent circumstances for various emergencies such as medical treatment, marriage expenses, funeral costs, and self-employment ventures. The scheme offers benefits like financial aid up to ₹2,00,000/per case and scholarships for journalists' wards. Eligible applicants must be journalists born or working in Goa for at least three years and registered with the Department of Information and Publicity. The scheme is implemented by a Sub-Committee constituted by the Government of Goa, which includes representatives from the Goa Union of Journalists and the Goa Editors Guild.

Benefits

  • Financial Assistance and Purpose
  • Marriage of Daughter: Up to ₹2,00,000/-
  • Major/Minor Operation/Medical Treatment for Self or Family: Up to ₹2,00,000/-
  • Funeral Expenses of the Journalist: Up to ₹2,00,000/-
  • Travel/Incidental Expenses for Treatment: Up to ₹2,00,000/-
  • Medical Reimbursement for General Expenses: Up to ₹2,00,000/-
  • Scholarship/Incentives for Wards Pursuing Higher Education: Up to ₹2,00,000/-
  • Financial Assistance for Self-employment Ventures: Up to ₹2,00,000/-
  • House Repair/Construction Due to Natural Calamities: Up to ₹2,00,000/-
  • Lump-sum Grant on the Death of the Journalist to Next Kin: Up to ₹2,00,000/- All disbursements are made through cheques. Conditions for Disbursement
  • Original bills and photocopies of hospital/institution documents must be submitted for medical claims
  • For super-specialty treatment, bills must be submitted within three months

Financial Assistance and Purpose

  • Marriage of Daughter: Up to ₹2,00,000/-
  • Major/Minor Operation/Medical Treatment for Self or Family: Up to ₹2,00,000/-
  • Funeral Expenses of the Journalist: Up to ₹2,00,000/-
  • Travel/Incidental Expenses for Treatment: Up to ₹2,00,000/-
  • Medical Reimbursement for General Expenses: Up to ₹2,00,000/-
  • Scholarship/Incentives for Wards Pursuing Higher Education: Up to ₹2,00,000/-
  • Financial Assistance for Self-employment Ventures: Up to ₹2,00,000/-
  • House Repair/Construction Due to Natural Calamities: Up to ₹2,00,000/-
  • Lump-sum Grant on the Death of the Journalist to Next Kin: Up to ₹2,00,000/-

*All disbursements are made through cheques.

Conditions for Disbursement

  • Original bills and photocopies of hospital/institution documents must be submitted for medical claims.
  • For super-specialty treatment, bills must be submitted within three months.

Eligibility

  • The applicant should be a journalist.
  • The applicant should have been born and brought up in Goa.
  • The applicant should be working in a newspaper establishment in Goa for at least three years continuously.
  • The applicant should be registered with the Department of Information and Publicity, Government of Goa, and renew registration by June 30th every year.
  • The applicant should not be engaged in any other profession.

Exclusions

Journalists who have availed benefits under other government schemes (e.g., Kanyadan Scheme, Mediclaim, CMRY, Disaster Management Scheme) for the same purpose are ineligible.

Application Process

Offline

Step 1: The interested applicant should take print of the prescribed format of the application form.
Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).
Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents, within the prescribed period (if any), to the Director of Information and Publicity, Government of Goa.

Post-Application Processes

Step 1: The Director will scrutinize the application and forward it to the Sub-Committee for review. The Sub-Committee will decide the quantum of assistance and seek government approval.
Step 2: Once approved, the financial assistance will be disbursed via cheque to the eligible applicant.

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

Can journalists engaged in other professions apply for financial assistance under this scheme?
No, journalists engaged in any other profession besides journalism are not eligible to apply for financial assistance under this scheme.
What proof is required to establish that a journalist has worked in Goa for three years?
A certificate from the employer confirming continuous employment for at least three years in a newspaper or periodical magazine must be submitted along with the application.
Is there any annual renewal requirement for registered journalists under this scheme?
Yes, journalists registered under this scheme must renew their registration by June 30th every year to remain eligible for benefits.
Are journalists who have availed benefits from other government schemes eligible for this assistance?
No, journalists who have already received benefits from other government schemes for the same purpose (e.g., Kanyadan, Mediclaim) are ineligible.
What types of emergencies are covered under this financial assistance scheme?
The scheme covers expenses for marriage of a daughter, medical treatment, funeral costs, travel for treatment, scholarships, self-employment, house repairs, and lump-sum death grants.
What is the maximum financial assistance provided for medical treatment under this scheme?
The maximum assistance for medical treatment, including super-specialty care, is ₹2,00,000/-, provided original bills are submitted within three months.
Can financial assistance be provided for the marriage of a journalist’s daughter?
Yes, the scheme provides up to ₹2,00,000/- to cover marriage expenses of a journalist’s daughter, subject to eligibility.
Is there any provision for funeral expenses under this scheme?
Yes, the scheme provides up to ₹2,00,000/- to cover funeral expenses of a deceased journalist for their next of kin.
How much financial assistance is available for house repairs due to natural calamities?
Journalists can receive up to ₹2,00,000/- for house repairs or construction necessitated by natural calamities.
Who scrutinizes the applications for financial assistance under this scheme?
The Director of Information and Publicity scrutinizes applications before forwarding them to a Sub-Committee for final approval.
What is the composition of the Sub-Committee that reviews applications?
The Sub-Committee includes the Secretary (Information & Publicity), representatives from Goa Union of Journalists, Goa Editors Guild, and the Director of Information & Publicity.
Can financial assistance be provided for self-employment ventures under this scheme?
Yes, journalists can receive up to ₹2,00,000/- as financial assistance for starting self-employment ventures.
Are there any travel-related expenses covered under this scheme?
Yes, the scheme covers travel and incidental expenses for journalists moving from local hospitals to outstation facilities for treatment, up to ₹2,00,000/-.
What is the maximum scholarship amount provided for journalists’ wards under this scheme?
Wards of journalists pursuing higher education can receive scholarships or incentives up to ₹2,00,000/-.
How is the financial assistance disbursed to eligible applicants?
All financial assistance is disbursed through cheques after approval from the Sub-Committee and the Government.
Who is responsible for resolving grievances related to this scheme?
The Minister of Information and Publicity hears and decides grievances, and their decision is final.
Is there a deadline for submitting medical bills for reimbursement?
Yes, bills for super-specialty treatment must be submitted within three months to qualify for reimbursement.
Can financial assistance be provided for minor medical procedures?
Yes, the scheme covers both major and minor medical procedures, with financial assistance up to ₹2,00,000/-.

References

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Documents Required for Government Schemes

Most government schemes require basic documents for verification. While the exact requirements vary, common documents include:

  • Aadhaar Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Caste Certificate (if applicable)
  • Residence Proof
  • Bank Account Details
  • Educational Certificates (for student schemes)

How to Apply for Government Schemes?

The application process for government schemes may be online or offline depending on the scheme. In most cases, you can follow these steps:

  1. Check eligibility criteria
  2. Collect required documents
  3. Fill the application form
  4. Submit the application online or at the relevant office
  5. Track application status