Date:19/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/19/stories/2006121903751000.htm

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Nod for wage board for journalists

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Monday approved the setting up of two wage boards under a common chairmanship — one for working journalists and the other for non-journalist newspaper employees.

Briefing reporters, Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said the boards would submit their reports within three years. Implementation of the wage board awards would not have any financial implications for the Central and State Governments as all newspaper establishments were in the private sector. The Centre would meet only the expenditure on the functioning of the boards.

Creation of 3 posts

The Cabinet meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, also approved creation of the posts of Chairman, Member-Secretary and Assessor, besides expenditure towards their salaries and related spending.

Replying to a query, Mr. Dasmunsi said the Union Labour Ministry would soon announce the name of the Chairman.

A number of organisations, including journalists and newspaper employees' associations and unions, were demanding the setting up of a wage board.