Odisha CM seeks New Ad Policy for Media; RTI Act to go Online

At the annual review meeting of Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Department, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has directed the authorities to formulate new advertisement policy for print and electronic media. A committee will be formed under the Chairmanship of the Development Commissioner, which will make the recommendations.

The Chief Minister also asked the I&PR Department to provide treatment assistance to more journalists from the Journalists’ Welfare Fund. He asked the department to receive application from the Journalists online and offer them financial assistance within two months.

CM Naveen Patnaik also stressed on the need for an effective communication medium, including social media to spread the word on various issue. Another major decision taken at the meeting was to make the RTI (Right to Information) Act online. The RTI applications would be received online and the applicants would be intimated about the status through SMSes.

The CM chaired the meeting attended by I & PR minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, I&PR Secretary Madhusudan Padhi, I&PR Director Sushil Das, Chief Secretary GC Pati, Development Commissioner UN Behera, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, R Balakrishnan and other senior officials.