State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury today said that the Press Information Department (PID) plays vital role in reducing gap between the government and the people.
“Besides disseminating information about various government activities, development initiatives and services to the people, the PID remains constantly active in creating public awareness during disasters, providing necessary information to the citizens and informing them about various government programmes,” he said.
The minister made the remarks while addressing a view exchange meeting with the officials and employees at the Regional Information Office here.
The minister said the scope of PID’s activities is much broader than generally expected. However, manpower shortages are putting pressure on its activities in many areas.
“Effective steps will be taken soon to address the manpower shortage in the PID,” he said and stressed the need to enhance coordination among various departments under the Information Ministry to ensure the optimum use of existing manpower and resources.
Yasser Khan Choudhury further said that there are opportunities for greater coordination and cooperation among various organisations under the ministry including Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar.
Where there is scope for coordination and cooperation among these organisations, the pace of work can be accelerated through mutual cooperation,” he said.
He particularly stressed the need for coordinated efforts by all relevant organisations to raise public awareness and provide timely information during natural disasters such as floods and cyclones in Chattogram and other parts of the country.
During the disasters, the information sector’s responsibility is not limited to broadcasting news or supplying information.
Raising public awareness and delivering necessary instructions to the people are also important parts of its activities,” the state minister said.
He called for stronger and more effective coordination among the relevant departments in this regard.
Addressing the PID officials, the state minister said ongoing activities must be made more dynamic and effective to provide people with higher-quality services.
Proper use of resources, maximum service delivery and access to information must be ensured at the people’s doorstep,” he said.
Responding to a question from a journalist, the state minister said visiting various district and regional offices under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is part of an ongoing programme.
The minister, state minister and other senior officials of the ministry regularly visit institutions under different districts.
Through these visits, we review whether the activities, responsibilities and work plans of the institutions are being implemented properly and provide necessary directions,” he said.
During the exchange of views, the minister was briefed in detail by officials about their various problems, work plans and future activities. He urged all concerned to perform their responsibilities with sincerity so that more effective and faster information services can be provided to the people.
At the meeting, Deputy Chief Information Officer of the Regional Information Office, Bappi Chakraborty, presented an overview of the activities of the Chattogram PID.
Officials from various government departments, and journalists from print and electronic media were present on the occasion.
