Union information and broadcasting ministry is set to embark on an upgradation of government communication needs in sensitive areas like the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir.
As part of the first phase of the project, sources stated that Union I&B minister Ambika Soni is scheduled to hold consultations at Guwahati on July 13 with various government departments and local stakeholders to meet the communication needs of sensitive, backward and insurgency-affected states in the Northeast. “Through the consultation process, the minister wants to evolve a road map for total review and strengthening of communication network in the region. As part of the process consultations will be held with local units of Doordarshan, AIR, PIB, Song and Drama Division, DAVP, Directorate of Film Festivals, broadcasters and local media houses,” sources stated.
Sources stated that it was the first time that a Union I&B minister was holding such consultations on a regional basis as the government wants the message of people centric policies of the UPA government to reach the masses at the grassroots. “The aim is to strategically plan for the communication needs of such an area for an integrated campaign regarding peculiar issues being faced by special areas like the Northeast and J&K,” sources said.
The minister is also likely to instruct the departments to strengthen their infrastructure and reach amongst the remote areas of the region. “It is felt that effectiveness of media units has to be increased in these areas of the country,” sources added.
After conducting the consultation process in the Northeast, the minister is expected to hold a similar meeting for strengthening of communications in North India in September at Chandigarh.