M Venkaiah Naidu, Minister of Information & Broadcasting has said the Ministry of I&B would be formulating a National Information & Communication Policy to address the communication needs of the people, challenges and the paradigm shift taking place across media space. The proposed policy would be prepared in consultation with States in the spirit of cooperative federalism and the principle of Team India which Prime Minister firmly believed in. The Minister mentioned this while delivering his address at the 28th State Information Ministers Conference here today. Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, State Information Ministers, Senior officials from Ministry and State Government were present on the occasion.
Elaborating on the proposed contours of the policy, Shri Naidu said, the broad objectives should be to enhance access to information and communication infrastructures and new technologies, especially in rural areas; to promote national dialogue on development issues by all citizens and facilitate informed participation of people in setting development agenda and its execution; to rationalize multi-sectoral investments in information and communication hardware and software through their consolidation and appropriate integration in development plans and planning structures; to ensure timely, orderly and effective growth of information and communication institutions and professions through standards setting, capacity building and human resource development; broadly define the roles of different governments at various levels and other stakeholders; preserve national cultural identity and enhance the development of cultural and artistic capabilities and institutions, while enabling productive regional and international exchanges and support national and local development initiatives, and to improve the quality of life of the people, by facilitating systematic and effective use and coordination of communication and information strategies and outcomes.
The Minister further stated that the initiation of such a policy would integrate development communication, development agendas linking planners, beneficiaries and implementers of development actions. It was the endeavour of the proposed policy to make people informed participants in decision making and development planning process. Such a communication approach also enabled policy makers to look at people as part of a solution. The challenge before such a policy was to analyse the ingredients of the communication environment including competencies and resources that are critical.Highlighting the role of communication in behaviour change, Shri Naidu referred to Swachh Bharat Mission and the recent Remonetisation initiative. Both were socio economic transformational in nature with long term gain for the country. The Minister also urged the States to do more effective campaigns under Swachh Bharat Mission.In order to encourage the Ease of Film shooting the Minister announced that a cash component of Rs 1Crore will be given to the Most Film Friendly State. Currently the award carries a Medal (Rajat Kamal) and a Certificate only. The Minister suggested that the prize money may be used by the winning State towards film facilitation in the States.Regarding the agenda for discussion at the conference Shri Naidu said that the focus was on the enhancing the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ to promote India as Filming Destination, pushing digitization of TV sets, effective use of social media, taking full advantage of All India Radio, Doordarshan and Publications Division.
Speaking earlier, Shri Ajay Mittal, Secretary, Ministry of I&B, gave an overview of the deliberations of the first day’s meeting highlighting some of the key discussion points across sectors and suggestions received from the States. During the course of the deliberations, the separate wings of the Ministry, Films, Broadcasting, Information and Prasar Bharti (AIR & DD) made presentations regarding the policy initiatives and issues for discussions and convergence with States.Prior to the inaugural session the Minister visited the various stalls and multimedia exhibitions showcased by the Media Units of the Ministry namely, National Film Archives, which organised the multimedia exhibition on the theme ‘Azaadi 70 Saal- Yaad Karo Qurbani’. The exhibition showcases Film Industry’s contribution towards Independence and was organized to celebrate 70th year of Country’s independence. The three themes covered include ‘Rise and Revolt:Cinema of Social Reform’, ‘Our Freedom Fighters- Through the lens of Cinema’ and ‘Saluting Our Soldiers’