Patna: CM Samrat Choudhary on Thursday directed the information and public relations department (IPRD) to strengthen public communication, ensure the effective dissemination of govt schemes and development initiatives and respond promptly to misleading reports concerning matters of public interest.Chairing a review meeting of the department, the CM said IPRD serves as a vital link between the govt and the public. He directed that a ‘quick response team’ be activated to monitor development projects, law and order and other significant issues of public interest, as well as to take immediate action against negative or misleading reports.Emphasising the promotion of Bihar’s rich civilisation and cultural heritage globally, the CM called for greater engagement with people from the state living in other parts of the country and abroad. “Their suggestions should be sought while keeping them informed about Bihar’s development and achievements,” he said.Samrat added, “The department must ensure that information of public interest reaches the people in a timely manner and that effective initiatives are taken to address their concerns.”The CM stressed that information about govt welfare schemes, achievements and development projects must reach citizens in a simple, clear and effective manner so that they can avail themselves of the benefits.IPRD secretary Naveen Kumar presented an overview of the department’s activities, priorities and communication mechanisms for ensuring that govt schemes reach the intended beneficiaries.Chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit, CM’s secretaries Lokesh Kumar Singh and Sanjay Kumar Singh, department director Gunjan Singh and other senior officials attended the meeting.Samrat stressed the need to establish strong management and monitoring systems at the departmental, district and panchayat levels to ensure the timely redressal of public grievances.The CM directed officials to widely publicise the rules and provisions of the pension scheme so that eligible beneficiaries are aware of the facilities available to them.
