Secretary Information, Sarmad Hafeez reviewed the functioning of Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) at a meeting convened at Media Complex here today.Director Information & PR, Muneer-ul-Islam, Special Secretary Information, Narinder Singh Bali, Joint Director Information Headquarters, SaajidYehaya Naqash, Deputy Secretary Information, Sudhir Bali, Deputy Directors, Sheikh Zahoor and Rakesh Dubey were present at the meeting.The Director Information gave a detailed presentation about the overall functioning of the Department and the initiatives taken to further improvise the overall productivity at various levels.The meeting was informed that the DIPR is facing acute shortage of staff as around 365 posts are presently vacant which is hampering the smooth functioning especially at the cutting-edge level. The vacant posts include 36 gazetted posts including key positions of Joint Director Information Kashmir, Deputy Director Information (PR) Kashmir and Deputy Director Information (HQs) Kashmir.Besides the posts of District Information Officers (DIO) at Reasi, Shopian, Anantnag, Kishtwar, Ramban, Udhampur, Kulgam, Kathua, Poonch, Samba, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kargil and Leh and Cultural Officer Kashmir and Field Publicity Officer Kashmir are also vacant. The meeting was informed that the selection against 40 posts of Assistant Information Officers (AIOs) in in limbo since 2004 as the Apex Court after quashing the SSB’s selection list has ordered re-conducting the recruitment process. Recruitment against other 115 non-gazetted posts including Information Assistants, Cameramen, Junior Assistants, Drivers etc is pending selection at various stages with the Services Selection Board (SSB), the meeting was told.The meeting was informed that the Department has submitted a comprehensive Re-Organization proposal to the Administrative Department to fine-tune the human resource deployment at various levels in DIPR.The meeting was told that given the pressing demand for deployment of Information Officers, the Department has sought the approval of the Government for engagement of more Stringers (Reporters) to be deployed for coverage with Chief Justice and other Justices of the State High Court, State Accountability Commission, State Information Commission, J&K Public Service Commission, Chief Electoral Officer and other offices.Hailing various new initiatives taken by the Department especially in the sphere of capacity and infrastructure building, the Secretary Information assured full support to DIPR in carrying forward the joint initiative launched with FTII Pune for skill development in filmmaking and photography.He also hailed the Department for building state-of-the-art infrastructure including auditoriums, library and studio at media Complex Srinagar and Jammu.The Secretary Information asked DIPR to focus on dissemination of information through online media which has now emerged as the most effective, quick and influential medium for information and knowledge.Administrative Officer, Mohammad Munawar Khawaja, Chief Photo Officer, Mohammad Yasin, Photo Officer, Javaid Ahmad, Accounts Officer, Kuldeep Kumar, Assistant Director Planning, Mohammad Hussain and other officers of the DIPR also attended the meeting.