"The government is trying to support journalists by providing them with different facilities. The amount and size of facilities for the journalists will be increased in the days to come,” he said.

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The minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion programme arranged by Crime Reporters Association Bangladesh (CRAB) in memory of its members who have so for died.

Posthumous awards were also given to CRAB’s late members while stipends to their children at the programme held at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).

Speaking at the programme as the chief guest, the minister said the government is also planning to increase the amount of financial support for the media workers from the Journalists’ Welfare Trust.

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"The government is increasing its expenditure and investment in different sectors. I hope journalists will also be benefited from it as there’s a plan to enhance the expenditure for the media sector,” he observed.

As journalists urged him to take steps for introducing the risk allowance for journalists, the minister said the government will consider it in the future.

Stating that the government is thinking of bringing all the citizens of the country under pension schemes, he said, “Pension system is already in place in many professions. Plans are being made to see whether the pension benefits can be provided for the rest.”

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"I’ll raise my voice, especially for journalists, in every forum, to ensure pension facilities for them. We can afford this, too," the minister assured.

Daily Jugantor editor Saiful Alam, Panir Ahmed, MP (Kurigram-2) and DRU President Morsalin Nomani, among others, spoke at the programme held with CRAB President Mizan Malik in the chair.