KATHMANDU, July 16

The Department of Information has started the process to provide accident insurance to the journalists from October 18.

DoI Director General Laxmi Bilash Koirala said journalists must have a valid identity card issued by DoI and the Federation of Nepali Journalists in order to claim accident insurance coverage up to Rs 5,00,000.

Under this programme, the insurer will get up to Rs 2,00,000 as treatment expense in case of an accident.

As per the government’s scheme, 75 per cent of the premium will be paid by the government and 25 per cent by the employers of journalists. The government will pay only 50 per cent premium for freelance journalists and they will have to pay the rest themselves.

Koirala said the scheme would automatically be renewed every year for the journalists who meet the requirements.

He said second phase of accident insurance cover scheme would start from February 13 to October 16 next year for those journalists who fail to apply in the first phase. Those wishing to apply in the first phase will have to submit their applications by January 24.

“This is the first time that we are introducing insurance coverage for journalists. Some journalist may not have time to apply in the first phase so we have decided to allow them to apply in the second phase,” Koirala added.

A press release issued by DoI said that it had sought quotation from insurance companies.