Pictures by Bibhash Lodh/BS News Agency.
Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: The BJP in West Bengal has made an electoral promise to provide a monthly allowance of ₹5,000 to all eligible and accredited journalists in the state, should the party come to power. State BJP President Samik Bhattacharya made this major announcement during a press conference held at the Kolkata Press Club, ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
All eligible journalists will be brought under the ambit of this benefit, irrespective of their political ideology or the media organization they represent.
The primary objective of this scheme is to provide financial assistance and social security to media personnel working under challenging circumstances.
To avail of this benefit, journalists will be required to fulfill specific eligibility criteria; detailed guidelines regarding these requirements will be announced at a later date.