Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today reviewed a presentation highlighting activities and achievements of the Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) in Guwahati. The CM also took an extensive stock of the various schemes and initiatives of the department.
At the same time, the officials apprised the CM of the department's work during the Covid-19 to check the spread of rumours and fake news. Sonowal appreciated the deptartmen's efforts and directed them to continue this exercise in round the clock manner.
The CM directed officials to study the progressive media practices and policies prevalent in other states while adopting the best ones among them. Officials were also directed to conduct a survey to identify locations for the installation of LED billboards across the state. Furthermore, the officials were also directed to set up a Control Room on the premises to enhance the dept's working capabilities. Sonowal also directed officials to disseminate information on various govt schemes to the masses, while addressing their grievances.
"The DIPR department officials across Assam have played a key role in spreading awareness, while at the same time dispelling rumors at the earliest. Additionally, they have taken quick action against objectionable posts, rumors, and hate messages", said Sonowal, lauding the efforts of the department in the ongoing battle against the Covid-19.
Sonowal said that at several district-level meetings, he has directed the DIPR officials to disseminate the Government's messages at the grassroots levels. "I hope this department will be able to forward their services to the 3 crore 30 lakh people in Barak and Brahmaputra and relay the information about the schemes and their progress with the local populace", Sonowal said, adding that they will also have to pay heed to the concerns of the persons.
It is pertinent to mention here that 67 more Covid-19 patients have been discharged today after they tested negative for the virus twice. With this, the number of discharged patients rose to 404, while the number of active cases reduced to 1,261.