Bhopal, Apr 11 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced to double the limit of cashless treatment for journalists under the state's health and insurance scheme to Rs four lakh.

The state government had launched the Health and Accident Group Insurance Scheme for journalists a few years back. Currently, the limit of cashless treatment for journalists is Rs two lakh.

The chief minister, while speaking at the felicitation of journalists at his official residence here last night, also announced to double the financial assistance given to photojournalists in case of camera damage during news coverage to Rs 50,000.

Besides, he announced to waive five per cent of the total interest on housing loan up to Rs 25 lakh for scribes.

Speaking on the occasion, Chouhan said, "Journalism is an extraordinary and challenging field. A journalist has to carry out different responsibilities under different circumstances. The desire and struggle to give a piece of information the shape of news is not easy."

"The quest for news during natural calamities, incidents of communal tension or terror activities can be fatal," he added.

Chouhan honoured 30 journalists, including Nalini Singh, Rambahadur Rai, Ramesh Patange, P Narayanan and Anil Dubey, with journalism awards for the years 2015 and 2016. PTI

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