Role of Information and Public Relations in Bangaru Telangana

Information and Public Relations in Telangana is to achieve its objectives and goals through dissemination and transmission of information, publicity and public relations. The department utilizes multi-media systems for effective publicity and performs a signal service in acting as a bridge between the people and the government and creates awareness among all sections of the people on government policies, plans and programmes intended for their welfare and development.

Dissemination of Information

The main objective of the department is basically two-fold viz., informing the public about the policies and programmes of the government on one hand and on the other keeping the government informed of the people’s reaction to its policies and programmes. Communication is a most vital process of socio-economic development. This department adopts different modes to conduct dissemination of information and publicity activities.

Key functions:

• Publicizes the activities of the government through mass media, it maintains liaison with Press, AIR, Doordarshan, Films Division, Directorate of Audio Visual Publicity, Press Information Bureau, news agencies, private T.V. channels besides conducting press tours, issuing advertisements, organizing exhibitions, Song and Drama Programmes, photographic services and films besides bringing out Publications like Telangana magazine, maintaining Media Information, Monitoring & Analysis System, conducting training, maintaining community radio and television sets, installation of public address system, audio visual equipment, electronic news recording & analysis, department’s Information Technology services like computer usage and website maintenance, besides deployment of digital media.
• Keeping the people informed of the services made available for them by the Government.
• Giving publicity for the eradication of social evils like untouchability, dowry, child marriages, jogini, bonded labour, child labour, banamathi etc.

MEDIA RELATIONS ACCREDITATION:-

“Accreditation” means recognition for media representative by the government for the purpose of access to all sources of official information in the government.

WELFARE SCHEMES TO JOURNALISTS

WELFARE FUND COMMITTEE TO JOURNALISTS

• A corpus fund of Rs. 42.76 lakhs is available under Welfare Fund in Telangana State
• The Welfare Fund Committee for Journalists will be constituted shortly.
• Financial assistance and pension shall be sanctioned to the journalists, who are in distress, from the interest accrued on the corpus fund of Rs.42.76 lakhs.
• Pensions @ Rs.1,000=00 per month for 3 years will be sanctioned to the dependents of the deceased journal.

HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME

The government is working on a new health insurance scheme to accredited Telangana journalists shortly.
HIGH POWER COMMITTEE TO LOOK INTO THE CASES OF ASSAULTS AND ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS

• The High Power Committee with the Hon’ble Minister for Home as Chairman of the Committee, Hon’ble Minister (I&PR) as Vice-Chairman, officials and journalists as members will look after the cases of assaults and attacks on journalists.

TRIPARTITE COMMITTEE

The Tripartite Committee is being constituted by the Govt. to oversee the implementations of the recommendations of the Majitha wage board and to settle the disputes between the workmen and management. The committee will be headed by the Commissioner of Labour Department along with representatives of managements and journalists.

MEDIA INFORMATION MONITORING SYSTEM (M.I.M.S.)

In a democratic setup, newspapers play a significant role in providing feedback to the government on the development and welfare programmes taken up by it from time to time and also on the policies of the Government.

The reports appeared in newspapers pave the way to formulate opinions on the policies, programmes and functioning of the government. In true spirit, every government views newspaper reports as a feedback and reviews its performance. The Media Information Monitoring System (MIMS) section prepares Daily News Digest for the perusal of Hon’ble Chief Minister, Chief Secretary CMO officers, CIPR and CPRO to C.M.

In order to work effectively, the news items that appear in print media are categorized under different heads like Development, Welfare, Adverse, Information and Political and other burning issues etc,
The soft copy of daily news digest is also forwarded through e-mail to Chief Secretary, CIPR, CPRO to C.M. and other officers etc., for instant access and to get the latest information on the terms to take necessary action.

MONITORING OF ADVERSE PRESS REPORTS

The MIMS section also analyses various issues in respect of all departments, guides the departments in tackling the issues especially those relating to adverse items to issue clarifications/rejoinders. It identifies adverse items published in newspapers on various departments for action taken reports and rejoinders wherever necessary. It coordinates with the concerned departments for action taken reports on adverse items published in newspapers and the rejoinders to those items are published in newspapers. Newspaper clippings related to important issues come up during Assembly Sessions will be maintained separately for the reference of the Hon’ble Chief Minister and his officers during the sessions.

PHOTO SERVICES

“A picture is worth of thousand words”. Photo medium is an important tool of visual communication. The development and welfare schemes of Government are effectively depicted through this medium.
The photo section organizes day-to-day photo coverages of:

• All the programs in CMO, Rajbhavan
• During VVIP visits
• On all major events, programmes and meetings of all departments

With a view to organizing effectively and qualitative photo coverages, the department provided high-end digital still cameras with accessories to all the field functionaries of the department. The photos are transmitted through e-mail from districts to the State headquarters to avoid delay.

The department conceptualized to develop Photo Bank. The photo bank contains all important digitalized photos. The purpose of Photo Bank is to develop photo data chronologically event-wise, subject-wise, and with other classification. The photo bank will also provide an access to search out and use as and when necessary by the department as well as media.

The photos taken up by department photographers are used by media and also used for department publications and exhibitions. World Photography Day is a major event for the department. Every year 19th August the department organizes World Photography Day. On this occasion, photo competitions are organized for press photographers. Prizes are awarded for the Best First, Second and Third apart from consolation prizes. Prize amounts comprise Rs.15,000/-; Rs.10,000/-; Rs.6,000/- and Rs.3,000/- towards first, second, third and consolation prizes.

INFORMATION CENTERS

The main objective of Information Centre is to make available authentic information at one place to organizations and individuals interested in policies, programmes and achievements of the government on different subjects. The Information Centre which serves as a clearing house of knowledge is equipped with Reading Room, Reference Library and Enquiry Desk.

The State Information Centres are functioning at Hyderabad and Warangal, District Information Centres at district headquarters and Divisional Information Centres at divisional headquarters get newspapers, journals and publicity material for the use of visitors and information is also made available in the form of charts, maps, photographs, etc., to publicize government activities and project image of the State.
The State Information Centre in Hyderabad is well treasured with over 18,000 books and reports. On an average, 1000 books in a month are issued to readers for reference.

PUBLICATIONS

The Printed word with visuals carries a great impact among literates. The department creates awareness among the people through its publications whenever the government launches a new scheme or programme. The department is utilizing the publication medium to a maximum extent possible by bringing out regular publication “TELANGANA” Journal in Telugu, apart from ad-hoc publications, viz posters, pamphlets, folders, booklets, brochures, etc., on various developmental and welfare activities.

These publications are circulated to the public libraries, schools, gram Panchayats, government offices, people’s representatives, opinion leaders and research scholars specializing in the development, planning and administration. Publications brought out by the department are being distributed in the entire state through the field staff who are provided with publicity vehicles.

The field officers are also bringing out publications in consultation with District Collectors reflecting the progress made in the districts especially ameliorative programmes implemented for the welfare of farmers weaker sections in the society.

TELANGANA JOURNAL

“TELANGANA”, a monthly Journal, is being published by the Department of Information and Public Relations in Telugu. The copies are being sent to the VIPs, writers, accredited journalists, subscribers, people representatives, all district libraries etc. It is also proposed to commence Urdu Edition shortly.

G Rajendera Kumar