The labour department has decided to organise welfare programmes for journalists working at the district and block levels.

Labour minister Janardan Singh Sigriwal on Friday said Bihar would prove to be a model state in respect of welfare schemes for journalists.

According to the minister, Rs 1 lakh would be paid to the kin of a scribe after his/her death. If the journalist meets with a serious accident, Rs 75,000 would be provided. If the accident is a minor one, Rs 37,500 would be given. An additional Rs 5,000 would be given in case of a four or five-day stay in a hospital.