The Hindu : Finance Ministry to set up media cell

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 15, 2003

National

National

Finance Ministry to set up media cell

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MARCH 14. The Union Finance Ministry is planning to set up a media cell of its own along the lines of the External Publicity (XP) Division of the External Affairs Ministry. A detailed proposal to this effect, prepared by the Finance Ministry, is under the active consideration of the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry. The move, spearheaded by the Finance Minister, Jaswant Singh, is being seen by some sections within the I&B Ministry as the latest in a series of attempts to marginalise the Indian Information Service.

Though the document sent to the I&B Ministry suggests that the proposal is in response to a long-felt need within the Ministry of Finance and Company Affairs for expanding the existing set up comprising a "small office of Director (Public Relations)" to a full-fledged division, it is inspired wholly by the XP Division over which Mr. Singh presided when he was the External Affairs Minister.

According to the Finance Ministry, such a division was needed to cope with the "widespread demands of the knowledge era and promote international cooperation in the economic sphere". To be headed by a joint secretary-level official, who would double up as spokesperson, the cell — according to the proposal — would have a staff of 36.

And, the division has its task cut out: Besides regular briefings and circulation of statements, the mandate includes servicing the Ministry's website, bringing out a "flagship magazine" of the Ministry, coordinating with international groups such as the United States-India caucus and "presenting a global face for the enhancement of the economic security of India".

Further, to enhance cooperation with the global media, the proposal envisages outsourcing a number of media and publicity-related activities, and buying airtime on different channels for special programmes produced by ''specialised producers''. On All India Radio, there is a proposal to buy 15 minutes during prime time to cover economic issues. Though allocation for such a media division has not been fixed in the proposal, a clear indication has been made that the cell had an allocation of Rs. 75 crores per annum

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National