Journalists’ Family Benefit Fund

Description
The Tamil Development, Religious Endowments, and Information Department scheme was launched by the "Journalists’ Family Benefit Fund". Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to families of journalists who died in harness with a minimum of twenty years of service as editor, sub-editor, reporter, photographer, and proofreader. This assistance is given from the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.

Benefits
• Financial Assistance:
• ₹50,000/- for 5 years of service.
• ₹1,00,000/- for 10 years of service.
• ₹1,50,000/- for 15 years of service.
• ₹2,00,000/- for 20 years of service.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The deceased should have been an editor/sub-editor/reporter/photographer and proofreader.
2. The benefit of the scheme will be given only on the death of the journalist while working in Journalism.
3. The editor, sub-editor, journalist, and photographer should have worked full-time in a newspaper or daily periodicals published in Tamil Nadu.
4. In case of sudden death due to an accident or fatal disease, five years of service is mandatory.

Required Documents
• Two Passport-size Photographs of the Applicant.
• Nature Reporter Photograph.
• Death Certificate of Journalist (issued by Municipality/Corporation).
• Heirship Certificate (issued by District Magistrate).
• Certificates related to post and place of employment (to be obtained from employers).
• Domicile Certificate (issued by District Magistrate).
• Nomination Certificate from Journalist Association.
• Police or Medical Certificate (Government Hospital or Registered Medical Practitioner) should be provided in case of natural causes due to accident or disease).

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Journalists’ Family Benefit Fund?
A: The Journalists' Family Benefit Fund provides financial assistance to the families of journalists who die while in service.

Q: Who is eligible for this fund?
A: Families of journalists who die while working full-time in Tamil Nadu as editors, sub-editors, journalists, photographers, or proofreaders in newspapers or periodicals published in Tamil Nadu are eligible.

Q: What are the service requirements for eligibility?
A: The deceased journalist must have had a minimum of five years of service, with higher benefits for longer service periods.

Q: What is the financial assistance amount based on years of service?
A: [?]50,000 for 5 years of service, [?]1,00,000 for 10 years of service, [?]1,50,000 for 15 years of service, [?]2,00,000 for 20 years of service.

Q: What documents are required to apply for the fund?
A: Death Certificate, Heirship Certificate, Certificates related to post and place of employment, Domicile Certificate, Nomination certificate from a Journalist Association, Police or Medical Certificate in case of accidental or disease-related death, Two passport-size photographs of the applicant and the deceased journalist, Two completed application forms with relevant certificates.

Q: How should the application be submitted?
A: The application should be sent to the Director, News Public Relations Department, Headquarters, Chennai-600 009.

Q: Is there a specific format for the Death Certificate?
A: Yes, it must be issued by the Municipality or Corporation.

Q: Who can recommend the application?
A: The application must be recommended by a Journalist Association in Tamil Nadu.

Q: Can the fund be availed for part-time journalists?
A: No, the fund is only available for full-time working journalists.

Q: Is there an interest income generated for this scheme?
A: Yes, the Government deposited a sum of Rupees One Crore with Tamil Nadu Power Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation, which yields an interest used to fund the scheme.

Q: How many families have benefited from this scheme so far?
A: As of the latest update, 43 families have benefited from the scheme.

Q: Can the family of a journalist who died after retirement apply for this fund?
A: No, the fund is specifically for journalists who die while still actively working in their profession.