The Congress party has released its manifesto ahead of the Karnataka Assembly elections. A promise made by the party is that it will institute a Journalist Welfare Fund with seed money of Rs 500 Cr in case it comes to power after this month's election results.
Five billion rupees is a considerable chunk. Critics are of the view that no government should invest public money in journalists, who are but private employees working for themselves and their families. "What the Congress party is offering is nothing but a bribe. A ruling party that spends hundreds of crores on journalist 'welfare' while in power would expect the media to serve its political motives at the time of elections," a Facebook user wrote.
The Congress party has also promised to frame a social security scheme for journalists if it is voted to power.
