Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 28
With the introduction of the state government’s policy on single window release of government advertisements, the Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) channelizes the release of government advertisements to the newspapers.
This was stated in the annual administrative report 2016-17 of the DIPR department tabled at the ongoing 15th session of 12th NLA here.
Through this system, the report stated that the government is able to streamline the expenses on advertisements, while at the same time ensure equitable treatment to all registered newspapers and timely payment of advertisement bills to all newspapers.
“This system has also reduced the burden on the newspapers to independently pursue payment of their bills from different departments,” the report stated.
Centrally Sponsored Schemes and programmes with own IEC components, however, are not covered under this programme.
During the period April 2016 to February 2017, altogether 738 government advertisements were issued by the department including special advertorial features on Nagaland in various national magazines.
Under new Advertisement Policy and Rules 2015, all government advertisements will be routed through the Director, Information & Public Relations, and Government of Nagaland. It will act as nodal agency on behalf of the government to release advertisements to different newspapers and periodical.
The rate fixed by the DIPR from time to time, will be applicable to all newspapers and periodicals within the state. The newspaper and periodicals published outside the state may have their own rates of advertisements, but government will make use of such papers and periodicals whose rates are acceptable, keeping in view of publicity requirements.
It also stated that all advertisement routed through DIPR shall be paid by the DIPR. Press release/spokesperson, all government official press release including cabinet decisions, government notifications and government policies/rules shall be released through IPR.
The secretary/director DIPR shall be the official spokesperson to the government. “Political statements/releases shall not involve IPR department,” the report added.
