Mamata Banerjee announces Rs 10 lakh health insurance cover for COVID-19 warriors, journalists

File photo

Kolkata: The West Bengal government on Sunday (May 3) announced health insurance coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh for frontline COVID-19 workers, including journalists.

"Our government in Bangla has also announced health insurance with up to 10 lakh coverage for frontline COVID workers, including journalists. Press Freedom Day," state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted.

Press is the fourth pillar in a democracy and must perform its duties fearlessly. We respect journalists for their contribution to society. Our Govt in #Bangla has many initiatives for the welfare of journalists #PressFreedomDay 1/2 — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 3, 2020

Our Govt in #Bangla has also announced health insurance with up to 10 lakh coverage for frontline COVID workers, including journalists #PressFreedomDay 2/2 — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 3, 2020

On the occasion of Press Freedom Day, the Chief Minister said the press is the fourth pillar of democracy and must perform its duties fearlessly. "We respect journalists for their contribution to society. Our government in Bangla has many initiatives for the welfare of journalists," she said.

The United Nations General Assembly has declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day or just World Press Day to remind governments the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. May 3 also marks the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in Windhoek in 1991.

West Bengal has reported 922 coronavirus cases, including 33 deaths, as per the Union Health Ministry.