Bihar Patrakar Samman Pension Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Journalism is considered the fourth pillar of democracy. Journalists work tirelessly to gather facts, report important events, and keep citizens informed. Throughout their careers, they often serve society by covering public issues, government policies, elections, disasters, and other matters of public interest. However, after retirement, many journalists face financial challenges due to irregular income and the absence of a pension or retirement benefits.

Recognizing the valuable contribution of senior journalists, the Government of Bihar introduced the Bihar Patrakar Samman Pension Yojana, 2019 through the Information and Public Relations Department. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance and honour retired journalists who have dedicated a significant part of their lives to the profession of journalism.

Under this scheme, eligible retired journalists who have worked for at least 20 years in print or electronic media organizations in Bihar and meet the prescribed eligibility conditions receive a monthly pension of ₹6,000 for life. In addition, if a pensioner passes away, the eligible dependent spouse is entitled to receive a Family Samman Pension of ₹3,000 per month, subject to the conditions laid down under the scheme. The pension amount is transferred directly to the beneficiary's bank account through online mode.

The scheme is governed by the Bihar Patrakar Samman Pension Yojana Rules, 2019, which define the eligibility criteria, pension amount, family pension provisions, application procedure, verification process, approval mechanism, and other important conditions. The Director, Information and Public Relations Department, is the competent authority for sanctioning pension under the scheme, while applications are examined through a structured verification process before approval.  

Scheme Benefits

ligible beneficiaries receive the following benefits:

• Monthly pension of ₹6,000 throughout their lifetime.
• Pension is transferred directly to the beneficiary's bank account through online mode.
• Dependent husband or wife receives ₹3,000 per month as family pension after the journalist's death, provided the spouse is not employed in any media organization or government service.
• The scheme provides regular financial assistance after retirement.
• Official recognition by the Government of Bihar for long years of service in journalism.

Family Pension under Bihar Patrakar Samman Pension Yojana

• If a journalist receiving pension under the scheme passes away, the dependent spouse (husband or wife) becomes eligible for a Family Samman Pension of ₹3,000 per month.
• However, the family pension is payable only if the dependent spouse is not working in any media institution or government service.
• The family pension continues as per the provisions of the scheme.

Eligibility Requirements

To receive benefits under the Bihar Patrakar Samman Pension Yojana, applicants must meet the following eligibility conditions:

• The applicant must be a resident of Bihar and should ordinarily reside within the state.
• The applicant must have retired from regular employment in a print or electronic media organization in Bihar.
• The applicant must have worked as a journalist for at least 20 years on a regular, salaried, honorarium, or remuneration basis in one or more print or electronic media organizations in Bihar.
• Registration with the Information and Public Relations Department is mandatory for applying under the scheme. However, registration alone does not guarantee eligibility for pension.
• The applicant must have attained the prescribed retirement age of 58 years or 60 years, as applicable under the service rules of the media organization from which they retired.
• The applicant should not be receiving any other pension from the Government of Bihar.
• The applicant must not have been convicted in any criminal or other case. If it is later found that the applicant concealed this information or obtained the pension by providing false information, the pension may be discontinued and the amount already paid may be recovered by the government.

Who is Considered a Journalist under this Scheme?

For the purpose of this scheme, a journalist includes a person who has worked in any of the following capacities:

• Reporter
• Correspondent
• Editor
• News Editor
• Assistant Editor
• Cartoonist
• Photojournalist
• Any other person working as a journalist in:
• Daily newspapers
• Weekly newspapers
• Fortnightly newspapers
• Magazines
• News agencies
• Electronic media
• News portals
• News channels

The person should fall within the definition of a working journalist under the Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955, and should have retired from regular employment in a print or electronic media organization.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the prescribed application form along with supporting documents. The Information and Public Relations Department verifies these documents before considering the application.

The following documents are generally required:

• Duly filled application form.
• Proof of date of birth.
• Residential address proof.
• Mobile number and contact details.
• Passport-size photograph.
• Aadhaar Card or any other government-issued photo identity card.
• Scheduled bank account details along with IFSC code.
• Details of the media organization(s) where the applicant worked.
• Proof of designation held at the time of retirement.
• Proof of retirement from service.
• Recommendation from the Editor/Manager/Managing Director of the media organization where the applicant worked.
• Service proof showing at least 20 years of work as a journalist.
• Salary, honorarium, remuneration records, TDS certificates, Provident Fund records, or any other documents proving employment and service period.
• EPF details, wherever applicable.
• Affidavit stating that the applicant has not been convicted in any criminal case.
• Declaration regarding receipt of any other government pension or financial assistance.
• Any other document required by the department during verification.

Steps to Apply

• Visit the Information and Public Relations Department or the concerned District Public Relations Office to obtain the prescribed application form.
• Fill in all the required details, including your personal information, date of birth, residential address, mobile number, media organization details, designation at the time of retirement, total years of service, retirement details, bank account information, EPF details (if applicable), information about any other pension or financial assistance, and details of dependent family members.
• Attach all the required supporting documents, such as identity proof, age proof, retirement certificate, service records, recommendation letter from the media organization, bank account details, affidavits, and any other documents required under the scheme.
• Submit the completed application form along with the supporting documents to the concerned District Public Relations Officer (DPRO). After verification, the DPRO forwards the application to the Director, Information and Public Relations Department, for further processing.

What Happens After Submitting the Application?

After receiving the application, the department follows several verification stages before granting pension.

District-Level Verification

The District Public Relations Officer examines the application and verifies:

• Personal information.
• Identity.
• Service details.
• Supporting documents.
• Eligibility under the scheme.

After verification, the application is forwarded with recommendations to the Information and Public Relations Department.

Departmental Verification

The department examines all submitted documents. If required, additional verification may be carried out from:

• Employer.
• Media organization.
• EPF Office.
• Other competent authorities.

The department may also conduct field verification whenever necessary.

Beneficiary Selection Process

Eligible applicants are selected after a detailed verification process.

The selection generally includes:

• Receipt of application.
• Verification by the District Public Relations Officer.
• Verification of service records.
• Verification of salary, honorarium, TDS, EPF or similar records.
• Verification of criminal record declaration.
• Examination by the Screening Committee.
• Final approval by the competent authority.
• Release of pension after approval.

Pension Disbursement

After approval:

• Pension is transferred directly to the beneficiary's bank account through online mode.
• The beneficiary must maintain an active savings bank account.
• The bank account details submitted in the application should remain valid to avoid delays in receiving pension.

Annual Verification

Beneficiaries receiving pension must complete annual verification to continue receiving benefits.

The pensioner must:

• Appear personally before the concerned District Public Relations Officer.
• Complete verification every year before the last week of March.
• Ensure that their presence is recorded.

Failure to complete annual verification may result in suspension of pension until the verification requirement is fulfilled.

Conditions for Cancellation of Pension

The pension sanctioned under the scheme may be cancelled under the following circumstances:

• The beneficiary is convicted in a criminal case or any other case after receiving approval.
• The beneficiary obtained pension by furnishing false information or concealing material facts.
• Fraud, misrepresentation, or submission of forged documents is detected.
• Annual verification is not completed within the prescribed period.
• Any violation of the provisions of the scheme is found.

If pension has been obtained by suppressing facts or submitting false information, the government may stop the pension and recover the amount already paid. The department also reserves the right to review a case if a beneficiary is convicted after pension has been sanctioned.

Important Terms and Conditions

• The applicant must have a scheduled bank account for receiving pension.
• Registration with the Information and Public Relations Department does not automatically make an applicant eligible for pension.
• The department may verify information from employers, media institutions, EPF offices, or other authorities.
• Applicants must submit complete and genuine information.
• The pension is payable only after approval by the competent authority.
• The family pension is payable only to the eligible dependent spouse as per the scheme rules.
• The Government of Bihar may amend the provisions of the scheme whenever required for its effective implementation.

Relevant Links

• Official Website of Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Bihar
• Bihar Patrakar Samman Pension Yojana Guidelines
• Bihar Patrakar Samman Pension Yojana Application Form

Contact Information

Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Bihar

• Offcial Contact Number List