Collectors Should Support Public Welfare Schemes and Promotion of Development Works : Chief Secretary Shri Jain

The first session of the second day of the Collectors–Commissioners Conference focused on the importance of dialogue in good governance. Chief Secretary Shri Anurag Jain emphasised the significance of disseminating accurate and balanced information about government policies, schemes, and programs to the public. He said that transparent communication of information is the foundation for building the government’s credibility. District administrations should take immediate steps to counter rumors, misinformation, and propaganda. This not only protects public interest but also helps maintain the government’s image.

Chief Secretary Shri Jain urged that public participation be maximised in the implementation of schemes and programs at the district level. He said that vision documents have been developed for each assembly constituency under the initiative of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, and their implementation should be prioritized in all districts. Issues received through the Samadhan Online system should be resolved promptly while addressing gaps in the administrative process. Shri Jain said it is the responsibility of Collectors to apprise the Chief Minister of general issues and public expectations during his district visits. He further said that the role of Public Relations Officers (PROs) posted in districts should be strengthened to ensure wide publicity of positive initiatives and success stories of district administrations. Officers of all departments at the district level should remain in touch with the PRO and regularly share their departmental achievements. To facilitate coordination between departments and the PRO, the District Collector should designate a senior officer as a nodal officer. Shri Jain also suggested engaging journalism and mass communication students as interns to assist in documenting positive activities and success stories at the district level.

Public Participation in Implementation of Schemes and Programs

Additional Chief Secretary Shri Neeraj Mandloi emphasised encouraging public participation in the implementation of government schemes and programs at the district level. Collectors should maintain regular contact with social workers, freedom fighters, and other eminent personalities to better understand public sentiments and local needs. It is also the duty of Collectors to brief the Chief Minister on the general issues and public expectations of their respective districts during his visits.

Publicity of Schemes Through All Communication Channels

Commissioner Public Relations Shri Deepak Saxena gave a presentation on the activities of the Public Relations Department. He said that positive public opinion can be effectively built through extensive publicity of government schemes via print, electronic, and social media. The use of modern technology has made public relations activities more efficient and accessible. Media analysis and public sentiment studies can help improve policies wherever needed. He highlighted the importance of timely and accurate dissemination of information, especially during disasters or sensitive situations. He added that the department regularly monitors news published or broadcast across print, electronic, social, and digital media and provides daily reports to the concerned departments.

Shri Saxena stated that Collectors are the most vital link between the government and field-level administration. They should maintain constant coordination and dialogue with media representatives. A fixed schedule should be established for media briefings, and Collectors should hold formal meetings with the media at regular intervals. Collectors should also take necessary initiatives to ensure that journalists avail benefits of welfare schemes run by the state government. He directed Collectors to personally take cognizance of sensitive or negative news circulating in print, electronic, or digital media at the local level and take prompt steps for clarification or rebuttal, including appropriate action against those spreading misinformation.