With the Narendra Modi Government set to complete one year in office at the Centre next month, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has got down to stock taking to assess the work done by various Ministries so far and devising an effective communication strategy to highlight the good work done by the BJP-led NDA dispensation among the masses.
In a meeting chaired by Principal Secretary to PM Nripendra Misra on Wednesday, Secretaries of all major Ministries made presentations of the work done so far and the roadmap for the next year. And as the PMO reviewed the flagship programmes of the NDA Government, the Ministries were also asked to show how the Government’s initiatives have benefitted people.
Facing criticism from the Opposition parties over the land Acquisition Bill and the media too now increasingly pointing out that “nothing has happened” on the ground despite tall promises, the Government is working on a new communication strategy now. Sources said that the Government wants to reach out to the people directly through advertisement campaigns and programmes on Doordarshan and All India Radio laying emphasis on the changes it has brought in the last one year for the well-being of the poor, farmers and youth.
Ministries have been asked to provide material and “talking points” relating to major initiatives of the Government so that “negative perception” in media can be “countered” with “facts”. Secretaries were also told to communicate effectively to the people through campaigns about the work done by the Government. In this regard, Information & Broadcasting Secretary Bimal Julka made a presentation on the communication strategy of the Government which will not only target the print and audio-video mediums but also the social media.
It was felt that tangible progress made in Coal, Power, Infrastructure and Economic Ministries needed to be reflected properly. Similarly, in Ministries like Skill Development a lot has been happening with regard to employment generation but all this has not been conveyed to the people directly and efficiently. The PM had recently in a meeting with BJP MPs also asked them to reach out to people and spread the good word about their work. Prime Minister Modi is also likely to address a Press conference on the completion of one year of his Government on May 25 to list out his achievements.