CM HANDS OVER SANCTION LETTER TO JOURNALIST UNDER PKN SCHEME

Panaji: August 3, 2026

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant today handed over the sanction letter to senior journalist Shri Prasad Xette Kankonkar under the Patrakar Kritadnyata Nidhi Scheme of the Department of Information and Publicity.

Shri Kankonkar has been sanctioned financial assistance of Rs. 2 lakh under the Scheme for repairing his house, which was severely damaged due to heavy rains.

This marks the first case under the Patrakar Kritadnyata Nidhi Scheme in which a journalist has been granted financial assistance specifically for house repairs, highlighting the Government’s commitment to extending timely support to journalists facing unforeseen hardships.

The Department of Information and Publicity implements the Patrakar Kritadnyata Nidhi Scheme (Journalists Benevolent Fund) to provide immediate financial assistance to needy journalists who are found to be in indigent circumstances in emergency situations. Under the Scheme, financial assistance of up to Rs. 2 lakh is provided to eligible journalists, subject to the prescribed criteria and the recommendations of the Sub-Committee constituted under the Scheme.

Director, Department of Information and Publicity Shri Abhir C. Hede and Information Officer Shri Kiran Munankar were also present at the occasion.

The initiative reflects the Government’s continued commitment to the welfare and well-being of the journalist fraternity by providing timely assistance during times of distress.

DIP/NB/AXP/UB/2026/464