Reviews Journalist Accreditation process, urges speedy recruitment for Info dept
Pushes for latest equipment to enhance media coverage in J&K
Srinagar, Dec 12: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Information Department at the Civil Secretariat to assess its performance and identify are-as for improvement to enhance its efficiency and outreach.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, Secretary Information Rehana Batul, Director Information Jatin Kishore, along with senior officials from the administrative department, Joint Directors, Deputy Directors, and other concerned staff.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister sought an update on the functioning of the single-window portal for granting film shooting permissions, emphasizing the need to streamline the process and ensure timely approvals for filmmakers.
A detailed discussion was held regarding the advertisement policy for newspapers and media houses. The Chief Minister directed the department to ensure fairness and transparency in issuing advertisements based on circulation. He urged officials to avoid any impression of bias and ad-vised them to study the Bureau of Outreach and Government of India (DAVP) criteria for ad-vertisement rates and newspaper circulation to develop a more robust mechanism.
Stressing the importance of social media, the Chief Minister called for greater visibility of the Jammu and Kashmir government on digital platforms through targeted advertisements and cam-paigns.
The accreditation process for journalists was also reviewed. The Chief Minister instructed the de-partment to revisit rejected applications, ensure applicants are informed of discrepancies, and provide them an opportunity to correct errors and secure accreditation.
Addressing the issue of staff shortages, the Chief Minister urged the department to expedite the recruitment process for vacant positions, underlining that adequate manpower is essential for im-proving efficiency.
The Chief Minister also emphasized the need for procuring the latest equipment and gadgets to enhance coverage of official functions and events.
He reiterated the department’s crucial role in shaping public perception and ensuring effective communication of government initiatives, urging officials to address challenges with urgency and commitment.
Earlier, Secretary Information Rehana Batul provided a detailed presentation on the depart-ment’s functioning, covering aspects such as human resource management, staff responsibilities, advertisement expenditure, empanelled newspapers, and the accreditation process for journalists.
The meeting was also briefed on key initiatives undertaken by the department, including the Beats of J&K, Inspire Gen-Z, Youth Conclave, the successful hosting of J&K Film Conclave 2024, and the implementation of the J&K Film Policy 2024. The department’s media campaign for the G-20 Summit in Kashmir was also highlighted.
Further discussions took place regarding the department’s budget and expenditure under REVEX and CAPEX, as well as the proposed CAPEX for the financial year 2024-25.
