Sambalpur: The Odisha assembly’s ethics committee on Wednesday stressed need for stronger coordination between govt officials and elected representatives and voiced concern over the growing misuse of social media and artificial intelligence (AI) to spread misinformation and defame individuals.The meeting, chaired by ethics committee chairperson and MLA Sanatan Bijuli, marked the committee’s first sitting in the city. Prior to the meeting, committee members visited Maa Samaleswari Temple and offered prayers.During the discussion, members deliberated on ways to ensure a healthy working relationship between officials and public representatives. Referring to Book Circular-47, Bijuli said officials should give due importance to suggestions of elected representatives. He also highlighted the role of assembly committee meetings in expediting development works across assembly constituencies.Bijuli said the committee is likely to undertake another review in three to four months to assess progress and address pending issues. He stressed that close coordination between officials and elected representatives is crucial to achieving the goals of a developed Odisha and a developed India.The committee also expressed concern over misuse of social media platforms and AI-generated content to tarnish reputation of prominent individuals and spread misleading information. Members discussed measures to curb such activities and called for strict action against those found using digital platforms for defamation or dissemination of false content.RDC (northern range), DIG, collectors, SPs, ADMs and senior officials from various departments attended the meeting.Responding to queries on education and healthcare, Bijuli said the subjects do not directly fall within the committee’s mandate but added that the state govt remains committed to addressing challenges in both sectors.
