State IPRD director AK Pandey (left) with chief minister Hemant Soren after signing the MoU in Ranchi on Saturday. (Prashant Mitra)

Ranchi, Nov. 16: The state government today announced an insurance scheme for journalists to mark National Press Day.

An MoU was signed between director of information and public relations department A.K. Pandey and senior branch manager of National Insurance Company Limited Balram Jha at Aryabhatta Hall of Ranchi College.

According to the scheme, each scribe will have to pay 25 per cent of the premium amount (approximately Rs 125) every year to get a life insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh. The government will shell out the remaining 75 per cent of the premium (approximately Rs 375).

The sum insured will be given to the next to kin of the journalist in case of death or permanent disability.

Chief minister Hemant Soren, health minister Rajendra Prasad Singh, former Union minister Subodh Kant Sahay and chief secretary R.S. Sharma were present at the function.

Seeking the media’s support, Hemant said: “We will have to progress with co-operation. You will have to extend support. I do not have any experience of running a government. So far, I have worked under your guidance. If you continue to co-operate with me, I will keep on working well.”