Banke. Nepal Press Union Banke has activated the 'NPU Journalist Welfare Fund'. The fund was set up by Union Bank for the purpose of providing financial assistance to journalists in case of any accident, injury or medical treatment of complex diseases.

A recent working committee meeting of Union Banke also decided to activate the NPU Journalist Welfare Fund. Arjun oli Banke, chairman of the union, said that the district working committee and officials of the union were preparing to request other individuals, organizations and bodies by depositing the amount in the fund.

"A journalist who works day and night reporting when he is injured in an accident or suffers from a complex disease cannot easily get treatment," said President Oli. The welfare fund has been set up in an effort to alleviate the pain by providing financial assistance to journalists.

He said that the fund would cover all the journalists in the district even if the union was established. Oli informed that the union will also prepare guidelines for the operation of the fund. "We will transfer the interest earned from the money deposited in the fund to the journalists who are in trouble for medical treatment. We will soon make a guideline on how to distribute the aid money."

Secretary of Union Banke Vijay Malla said that everyone has been called upon to provide necessary assistance to the welfare fund. "We urge all to contribute to the welfare fund. Interested individuals, organizations and bodies may deposit directly into the union's bank account or contact us."

Stating that some journalists and media persons have been facing many problems due to lack of funds, Secretary Malla said, "We will show transparency in the amount deposited in the welfare fund.

He informed that it has already been decided that all the members of the working committee including Vice President Sameer Man Shrestha, Secretary Vijay Malla, Treasurer Madhu Poudel and Joint Secretary Laxmi Chaudhary will be active in moving the welfare fund forward.