Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Monday said that effective use of social media should be made for proper and prompt dissemination of news, adding that in the present era of communication, the role of media was vital and the PR professionals should think out of the box for effective dissemination of policies and programmes of the State Government.
Presiding over the meeting of Officers of Information and Public Relations Department here, the Chief Minister He said that latest technologies must be used for publicizing the various developmental schemes, adding that success stories and developmental features should be brought out and provided to both print and electronic media.
Thakur said regular publications of the department's Giriraj Weekly and Himprastha monthly magazine could be effective tools of publicity and helpful in providing people factual information regarding policies and programmes of the State Government.
He said that more interesting and research based articles should be published in Giriraj Weekly, adding that the contents to be carried out in the Weekly should be planned in advance to make it more readable and impactful.
The Chief Minister also asked the officers of the department to study other PR departments of different states so that some innovations could be brought out in the department.
He said that the department should act as a bridge between the government and common people for which the PR professionals should maintain better liaison not only with the media persons but also with the common people and opinion makers.
Thakur said creativity was the first prerequisite of effective public relations, adding that PR professionals should be more creative and articulate in making their stories more impactful. He said that the officers should also ensure maximum use of various social media platforms like youtube, facebook, twitters and blog etc.
The Chief Minister said apart from ensuring optimum use of modern modes of communications, traditional media should also be given preference as it was more effective particularly in the rural areas, pointing out that catchy and attractive hoardings should also be erected at strategic locations to publicise the policies and programmes of the State Government.
Chief Secretary Anil Khachi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister J.C. Sharma were present in the meeting in which Director Information and Public Relations Harbans Singh Brascon made a detailed presentation regarding various activities of the department. Senior officers of the Department attended the meeting.
HIMACHAL CM LAUNCHES PANCHVATI YOJNA FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Monday launched ‘Panchvati Yojna’ for senior citizens of rural areas of the State under which parks and gardens would be developed in every Development block with necessary facilities under MNREGA Scheme of Rural Development Department.
"The main objective of this Yojna was to provide opportunity to the elderly people to spend their leisure time in entertainment and strolling in these parks and gardens," he said, adding that these parks and gardens would be developed on leveled land of minimum one bigha with convergence of MGNREGA, Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) and 14th Finance Commission to enhance the life expectancy keeping in view the health requirements of the senior citizens.
Thakur said ayurvedic and medicinal plants would be grown there besides providing recreational equipment, walking tracks and other basic amenities for elderly people.
He said during the current financial year 100 such parks would be developed in different parts of the State. He said the parks would prove a boon to the senior citizens to lead a healthy and happy life.
Pointing out that the Covid-19 scenario has forced the policy makers to rethink and reformulate policies and programmes with special focus on rural development, the Chief Minister said that as 90 percent population of the State reside in rural areas therefore the focus of the Government was on rural oriented policies which had been ensuring accelerated pace of development in these areas.