Goa Patrakar Kritadnyata Nidhi Scheme (Journalist Benevolent Fund)

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Goa Patrakar Kritadnyata Nidhi Scheme (Journalist Benevolent Fund) is a welfare initiative of the Department of Information & Publicity (DIP), Government of Goa. Introduced in 2010, the scheme provides one-time financial assistance to eligible full-time journalists who are facing financial hardship due to medical emergencies, family responsibilities, natural calamities or other approved circumstances. The scheme aims to ensure timely financial support and improve the welfare and social security of journalists working in Goa.

Under the Goa Patrakar Kritadnyata Nidhi Scheme, eligible journalists may receive financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh. The amount is decided on a case-to-case basis by the Sub-Committee and approved by the Government. Assistance may be sanctioned for major or minor medical treatment, super-speciality treatment, medical reimbursement, travel for medical care, daughter's marriage, funeral expenses, higher education of children, self-employment ventures, repair or reconstruction of houses damaged due to natural calamities, and lump sum assistance to the next of kin in the event of the journalist's death.

To avail the benefits, the applicant must be a full-time journalist registered with the Department of Information & Publicity, Government of Goa. The journalist should be born in Goa or have worked continuously in a newspaper establishment in the State for at least three years. Registration with the Department must be renewed annually, and the applicant should not be engaged in any other profession or have received financial assistance for the same purpose under another Government of Goa scheme.

Eligible applicants can apply offline by submitting the prescribed Goa Patrakar Kritadnyata Nidhi Scheme Application Form along with the required documents to the Department of Information & Publicity. After verification, the application is examined by the Sub-Committee, and eligible cases are recommended for Government approval. Once approved, one-time financial assistance is released to the eligible journalist or the eligible family member in accordance with the provisions of the scheme.

Scheme Benefits

• Provides one-time financial assistance to eligible journalists facing financial hardship.
• Financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh may be sanctioned in an eligible case, subject to the recommendation of the Sub-Committee and Government approval.
• Supports journalists and their families during medical emergencies, personal hardships and other eligible circumstances.
• Financial assistance may be sanctioned for the following purposes:
  • Marriage of a journalist's daughter.
  • Major or minor medical treatment of the journalist or eligible family members.
  • Medical reimbursement.
  • Travel expenses for medical treatment.
  • Funeral expenses.
  • Higher education of the journalist's children through scholarship or educational assistance.
  • Starting a self-employment venture.
  • Repair or reconstruction of a house damaged due to natural calamities.
  • Lump sum financial assistance to the next of kin in the event of the journalist's death.
  • Super-speciality medical treatment, subject to the conditions prescribed under the scheme.

Eligibility Requirements

• The applicant must be a full-time journalist.
• The applicant should be born in Goa or have worked continuously in a newspaper establishment in Goa for at least three years.
• The applicant must have worked in an established newspaper or periodical magazine for at least three consecutive years.
• The applicant must submit a certificate supporting the required work experience.
• The journalist must be registered with the Department of Information & Publicity (DIP), Government of Goa.
• The journalist must renew the Department of Information & Publicity registration every year on or before 30th June.
• The applicant should not be engaged in any other profession or employment.
• The applicant must submit a declaration confirming that financial assistance for the same purpose has not been received under any other Government of Goa scheme.
• For medical assistance claims, the applicant must submit the prescribed medical documents, including the doctor's certificate and original medical bills, as applicable.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Financial assistance under the Goa Patrakar Kritadnyata Nidhi Scheme is not available for the same purpose if the applicant has already received assistance under another Government of Goa welfare scheme, such as:
  • Kanyadan Scheme.
  • Mediclaim Scheme.
  • Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF).
  • Disaster Management Scheme.
  • Any other Government of Goa welfare scheme for the same purpose.
• A journalist who has already received assistance under the Goa Patrakar Kritadnyata Nidhi Scheme for a particular purpose cannot claim financial assistance for the same purpose under another Government of Goa welfare scheme.

Required Documents

• Duly filled prescribed application form.
• Passport-size photograph attested by a Gazetted Officer.
• Attested copy of the Birth Certificate (proof of age).
• Certificate supporting the required work experience as a journalist.
• Testimonials supporting significant work in journalism (if applicable).
• Recommendation letters from two persons or institutions having knowledge of the applicant's journalistic work.
• Declaration stating that financial assistance for the same purpose has not been received under any other Government of Goa scheme.
• Doctor's certificate and original medical bills (only for medical assistance claims).

Steps to Apply

Eligible journalists can apply offline under the Goa Patrakar Kritadnyata Nidhi Scheme. They need to submit the prescribed application form along with the required documents to the Department of Information & Publicity (DIP), Government of Goa.

• Download the Goa Patrakar Kritadnyata Nidhi Scheme Application Form from the official Department of Information & Publicity (DIP) website or obtain it from the department office.
• Fill in the application form with accurate personal, employment and assistance details.
• Attach the prescribed documents, photograph and declaration with the application form.
• Submit the completed application to the Director, Department of Information & Publicity, Government of Goa.
• The Department will verify the application and supporting documents.
• Eligible applications will be placed before the Sub-Committee for examination and recommendation.
• After Government approval, the eligible applicant will receive one-time financial assistance under the scheme.

Relevant Links

• Download Goa Patrakar Kritadnyata Nidhi Scheme Application Form
• Goa Patrakar Kritadnyata Nidhi Scheme Guidelines.
• Goa Department of Information & Publicity Portal.

Contact Information

• Goa Department of Information & Publicity Phone Number:
  • 0832- 2223157
  • 0832- 2422675
  • 0832 2226047
• Goa Department of Information & Publicity Email: [email protected]