Grant of Financial Assistance to the Press Reporters of Puducherry

Description
The scheme "Grant of Financial Assistance to the Press Reporters of Puducherry" by the Department of Information & Publicity, Union Territory of Puducherry, aims to provide financial support amounting to ₹25,000/- to eligible press reporters who have served in Newspaper / Magazine duly registered with the "Registrar of Newspapers, Government of India, New Delhi" continuously for atleast 10 years.

Benefits
• Financial Assistance: ₹25,000/-.
• Mode of Disbursal: The Director, Department of Information & Publicity, Puducherry will transmit the cheque to the applicant after obtaining the necessary receipt thereof from the applicant in the prescribed format.
• Time Limit: Three weeks from the date of application.

Eligibility Criteria
1. - The applicant should be a citizen of India.
2. - The applicant should be a native of the Union Territory of Puducherry by birth or by continuous residence for not less than five years.
3. - The applicant should be a Press Reporter.
4. - The applicant should have served in a Newspaper/Magazine.
5. - The Newspaper/Magazine should be duly registered with the "Registrar of Newspapers, Government of India, New Delhi".
6. - The Newspaper/Magazine should be registered continuously for not less than 10 years.

Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: The interested applicant should take print of the prescribed format of the application form.
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Step 1: The interested applicant should take print of the prescribed format of the application form.

Step 2: Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).
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Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).

Step 3: Step 3: The applicant should visit the Office of the Department of Information & Publicity or one of its Branch Offices. The Office Timings are Monday to Friday, 08:45 am to 01:00 pm & 02:00 pm to 05:45 pm. Submit the duly filled and signed applic…
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Step 3: The applicant should visit the Office of the Department of Information & Publicity or one of its Branch Offices. The Office Timings are Monday to Friday, 08:45 am to 01:00 pm & 02:00 pm to 05:45 pm. Submit the duly filled and signed application form and the documents to the Member Secretary-cum-Treasurer.

Step 4: Step 4: Upon successful receipt of the application, a unique number is assigned to the applicant for identifying each applicant which shall be used for all further references and also as acknowledgement for the receipt of the application.
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Step 4: Upon successful receipt of the application, a unique number is assigned to the applicant for identifying each applicant which shall be used for all further references and also as acknowledgement for the receipt of the application.

Required Documents
• Nativity and Nationality Certificate (Form-II), from an officer of the Revenue Department not below the rank of a Deputy Tahsildar.
• Service Certificate (Form-III) from the competent authority of the Newspaper/Magazine concerned.
• Verification Certificate (Form-IV) from the Director of Information and Publicity, Puducherry.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much financial assistance is provided to the press reporters in Puducherry?
A: The scheme offers a financial assistance amounting to [?]25,000.

Q: Who is responsible for the selection process under this scheme?
A: The selection committee comprises officers such as the Secretary to Government (Information) as the Chairperson, along with Deputy Secretary/Under Secretary to Government (Information), Director of Information and Publicity, and Regional Executive Officer of the respective region concerned.

Q: How is the financial assistance disbursed to the beneficiaries?
A: Upon sanctioning the financial assistance, the Member-Secretary-cum-Treasurer arranges for a crossed cheque in favor of the applicant. This cheque is then handed over to the Director of Information and Publicity, Puducherry, who, in turn, transmits it to the applicant after obtaining the necessary receipt in the prescribed Form-V.

Q: What is the time limit for granting financial assistance to an eligible applicant?
A: Financial assistance is typically granted within three weeks from the date of submission of the application, provided all required documents are complete.

Q: Can a person who has not continuously served for 10 years in a registered Newspaper/Magazine apply for financial assistance?
A: No, to be eligible, an applicant must have a continuous service period of not less than 10 years in a registered Newspaper/Magazine.

Q: What role does the Regional Executive Officer play in the selection committee?
A: The Regional Executive Officer is a member of the selection committee, contributing to the evaluation and selection process of beneficiaries under the scheme.

Q: Can an applicant submit the application directly to the Director of Information and Publicity?
A: No, applications should be submitted to the Member Secretary-cum-Treasurer in Form-I, following the specified procedure.

Q: Can financial assistance be applied for retrospective periods of service?
A: The scheme does not provide for retrospective applications. Financial assistance is typically granted based on the current service period and application.

Q: Can the financial assistance cheque be directly collected by the applicant from the Member-Secretary-cum-Treasurer?
A: No, the cheque is transmitted to the Director of Information and Publicity, Puducherry, who then releases it to the applicant after obtaining the necessary receipt.

Q: What is the role of the Deputy Tahsildar in the application process?
A: The Deputy Tahsildar is responsible for issuing the Nativity and Nationality Certificate (Form-II) as part of the required documents for the application.

Q: How is the service period verified in the application process?
A: Applicants must submit a service certificate (Form-III) from the competent authority of the Newspaper/Magazine concerned as part of the verification process.

Q: Can a press reporter serving in a magazine apply for financial assistance under this scheme?
A: Yes, the eligibility criteria include press reporters serving in both newspapers and magazines duly registered with the Registrar of Newspapers, Government of India.