Kolkata: Journalists were free to criticise the chief minister or the govt but in matters of patriotism and religious belief, they should not use any word or sentence that would weaken the country or hurt religious faith, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said at an event at Nabanna, where health cards under the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana were handed out, on Tuesday.He announced that with effect from Sept 1, 2026, the monthly social security pension, which used to be Rs 2,500 for accredited, retired journalists, would now be doubled to Rs 5,000 and extended to all retired journalists, subject to conditions.“You will criticise, and again you will give constructive advice, but on the question of patriotism, nation comes first. We will not do anything that makes the country weak. You will criticise me, you will criticise the party, you will criticise statements—I will accept it humbly, and I will not harbour any mentality of revenge for that. But regarding patriotism and anti-terrorism matters, you should maintain some strictness,” Adhikari said.“In observing religious events, discipline and adherence to rules—we have laid these down from our govt’s side. We will not use such language or words that hurt any religious belief, all of us have to see to it. Just as the govt will not do it, you should not either. In religious belief, you will not find any example of us obstructing anyone. So, I will request that in matters of patriotism and religious belief, no such word or sentence should be used that will weaken the country or hurt religious faith,” the CM said.About Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana, Adhikari said that the health insurance facility would be applicable to 38,000 govt and private hospitals across the country. “Under Swasthya Sathi, journalists used to get facilities at 1,700 hospitals, including private and govt ones. Under Ayushman and Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana, they will get treatment facilities at 1,900 hospitals in Bengal with coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh,” the CM said, adding that those covered under Ayushman Bharat did not need a separate Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana card.“Six crore people have been added to Ayushman Bharat. For those above 70, there is no income criterion. The 40 lakh senior citizens here need to apply for Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana card. Those who could not be added to Ayushman, we have added them to this scheme,” Adhikari said.Elaborating retired journalists’ pension, the CM said the previous govt started the scheme that paid a monthly pension of Rs 2,500 and 154 journalists received it. “From Sept 1, 2026, all journalists, including those on the desk and without accreditation cards, will be eligible for the monthly pension of Rs 5,000,” Adhikari said but added selections would be made, based on fulfilling eligibility criteria.
