One press conference in 11 years for Naveen Patnaik

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Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik seems happy to be away from the limelight. He has addressed only one formal press conference in his three terms since 2000, a Right To Information (RTI) reply has revealed.

Biswajit Mohanty, a board member of the India unit of Transparency International, said he sought details of the formal press conferences Mr Patnaik had held in 11 years.

The government, in its reply to Mr Mohanty May 24, cited only one instance. It was held March 6 in 2000 at the state secretariat and was attended by about 120 media persons and no press release was circulated, it said.

Mr Patnaik has, however, conducted informal briefings to both print and electronic media on current developments, said the reply. “Accountability of the government at the highest level can only be upheld through regular media briefings,” said Mr Mohanty who wrote to the chief minister on Friday.