Assam: Sonowal directs to restructure DIPR
Guwahati
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday called for a total restructuring of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) in sync with the changing trends of modern day mass media to make the department more productive. While chairing a review meeting of the Information and Public Relations Department in his office conference room at the Janata Bhawan here on Tuesday evening, Sonowal also issued a series of directions for preparing a comprehensive roadmap to ensure swift and seamless dissemination of government messages.
The Chief Minister also directed the I&PR Department to create an additional directorate to specifically deal with the electronic and social media. “Along with the print media, electronic and social media today enjoy significant command over the information dissemination system. The existing directorate will deal with the print media, whereas the new directorate will look after the electronic and social media,” he observed.
Sonowal also laid stress on speedy redress of grievances of media persons and media houses, and asked the department to take steps for early finalisation of the new State Advertisement Policy.
The Chief Minister directed the department to institute awards to encourage young media persons who play a significant role in generating positive temperament in society. He asked the I&PR Department to prepare modalities for presenting six such awards every year, out of which three will be for photo and video journalists.
Sonowal further asked the department to take steps for setting up a state-of-the-art media convention centre here, providing avenues for intellectual discourse and media congregation. He directed the I&PR Department to organise a two-day all-India media meet by inviting reputed journalists of national and regional media.
“The DIPR needs a new revolution. It must evolve itself to suit the demands of the changing times and redesign its structure and activities in such a manner that it is capable of connecting with every household of the State,” Sonowal said. He also directed the department to draft a new publicity framework to ensure best utilisation of government resources.
The Chief Minister put stress on better convergence and coordination among government departments for publicity of their respective programmes and schemes. He also suggested the department to expand its network of services focusing more on the rural areas. He asked the department to increase the coverage of its fixed loudspeaker services in villages, hills, chars and tea gardens.
Moreover, issues related to press accreditation cards, exposure tour of media persons and strengthening the directorate were also discussed in the meeting.
