73rd Information and Public Relations day celebrated
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, November 01 2021: The 73rd Information and Public Relations Day was celebrated at DIPR Auditorium, Nityaipat Chuthek on Monday marking the establishment of publicity office of government of Manipur on this day in 1949 with late RK Maipaksana as the first publicity officer.

Speaking at the celebration as chief guest, IPR commissioner M Joy Singh noted that the role of DIPR is very important and what the department has done for the public is well known.

It is multi facet, not only to inform the public about the activities and achievement of the government but also to create a good relation between government and the public.

Former IPR director Meghachandra Kongbam, who attended the celebration as guest of honour, said that DIPR plays an enormous role in a democratic country like India, disseminating important information to people in far-flung areas of the state and bridging the gap between the government and the public.

Meghachandra also shared his longing for opening of IPR offices at the sub-divisional level too.

In his presidential address, IPR director H Balkrisna Singh said that the role of DIPR is to inform, educate and enlighten the public on the activities and achievement of the government.

The state government is trying its best to inform and educate the people about the welfare and development activities undertaken to enlist their participation through DIPR, even from far flung areas of the state.

The director further stated that in tune with the fast changing world of today, DIPR is improving a lot.

Advertisement and hoardings of government schemes and flagship programmes are being displayed at various places from time to time by releasing press releases to disseminate information to the public on achievements, activities and programmes of the government.

"DIPR is the medium between the public and the government," he added.

While elaborating on the initiative taken up by the state government for the welfare of the journalist fraternity, Balkrishna said the government has deposited Rs 10 crore as Corpus fund under the Manipur Journalist Welfare Scheme.

So far, Rs 25 lakh has been spent as financial assistance to ailing and deceased scribes while 50 journalists have benefited from the scheme.

Payment of Pension amount has also been increased from Rs 4000 to Rs 8000 and Rs 2000 to Rs 5000 respectively.

One time age relaxation was allowed for enrolment to pension scheme for journalist above 45 years up to 65 years.

As a milestone achievement of the department, Incentive Cash award for editor was increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000 from last year under Manipur State Journalist's Award Scheme and a historic press tour to Myanmar was organised in the year 2018, he added.

As part of the function, Rajat Kamal Awardee of the 67th National Film Award, 2021 Maipaksana Haorongbam, who is also a video editor of the department, was felicitated by presenting a memento and shawl by the chief guest.

Retired officers, officers and staff of DIPR attended the celebration.

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