The State Government is preparing to introduce a Social Media Management Policy in order to improve quality of the Government services through feedbacks and suggestions from people and enable its programmes reach them reducing costs.
With the number of Internet users in the country reaching 427-million-mark, the State Government has decided to leverage the social media to its benefit, said an official.
According to a report, there were 189.6 million users of Internet in 2013, while it went up to 278 million in 2014 and 354 million in 2015, and it is expected that the number will rise to 503 million by 2017.
The Electronics and Information Technology Department is preparing for a policy framework in consultation with stakeholders to harness social media to its benefit, sources said.
Department Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena recently held discussion with officials in this regard. It was decided that the Government would continue to promote other digital assets like websites and mobile apps.
According to decision, all Government departments will integrate their respective portals with a social media page. The IT Department will keep providing all support for security management.
While the OCAC is managing websites of various departments, the NIC is managing the websites of all the 30 districts. Now at least 30 Plus mobile apps have been developed by various government offices and few more apps are being developed for information and others for transaction.
The event of lord Jagannath’s Nabakalebar Festival had reached people across the globe through the social media and use of the system by the Omfed remains to be very encouraging.
By now, the IT Department is utilizing Twitter and Facebook and the Department of Fisheries, and Animal Resources Development & ARD (DoFARD) remains to the top user.
Among other departments, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department is utilising digital facilities in improving administration and ensuring transparency.