Chandigarh: Amid rising Covid-19 cases, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday announced Rs 10 lakh as compensation for the family of any accredited journalist who dies due to coronavirus.

The decision comes a day after the death of a Patiala-based journalist who succumbed to the virus.

Digital Media Association today welcomed the announcement by Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for announcing financial compensation of Rs.10 lakhs for accredited journalists in case of death due to Covid-19.

Devinderjit Singh Darshi president of the Association in a statement thanked the Chief Minister and his media advisore Raveen Thukral for accepting the demand made by Association. It is recalled that Digital Media Association had yesterday demanded a compensation of Rs.50 lakhs for journalists working ion the field. The Association had also demanded financial aid to the family of Patiala based photo journalist Jaideep who died of Covid.

Darshi said that journalists were most vulnerable to coronavirus due to their nature of duty. The journalists were working as vital link between people and the government in the times of pandemic at the risk of their lives. He also demanded to extend the facility of compensation to all bonafide journalists working in the field.

The other members of Association joined to thank Chief Minister and his media advisor are Baljit Balli Chief Patron, Satinder Bains Chairman, Mahavir Jain Senior Vice President, H.S.Bawa Vice president, Devinder Singh Kohli General Secretary, Parminder Singh Jattpuri Secretary, Prashant Sharma Joint Secretary and Nirmal Singh Maansahia executive member.