Infrastructure

Information and Publicity

In Kerala, the Department of Information and Public Relations is the nodal agency of the government to disseminate information to the public through various media on government
policies, programmes, schemes, initiatives and achievements. The department facilitates feedback from the public and thereby maintains a communication flow between the government and its public.

Two autonomous institutions namely, Kerala Media Academy and Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (C-DIT), working under this department undertake the administrative, technical and promotional affairs of the public and private sector with the help of advanced technologies in the field of visual communication, and journalism.

The department desires to initiate new strategies for popularizing government policies and activities with the support of latest media and public relation technologies, launching government-media tie-ups, enhancing public relation personnel efficiency and providing better working environment. The details of the activities and programmes undertaken by the department during 2015-16 are summarized below.

Sutharyakeralam

This flagship programme is a live weekly complaint redressal forum where the Chief Minister addresses the grievances of common people especially the poor. During 2015-16 and up to September 2016, 11 episodes were telecasted. Around 45 petitions/complaints had been taken for Sutharyakeralam video programme of Chief Minister. The programme is remodeled to address the issues of common people more easily with help of technology as well as the intervention of the Chief Minister.

Modernization of Tagore Theatre

The modernization of Tagore Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram has been completed and opened to the public in September, 2015. It has become the most sought after theatre with its state of the art technology serene surroundings and parking space. Over fifty programmes were conducted and had generated over 40 lakhs as income till September, 2016.

Photo Publicity and Video Publicity

The department releases video news clippings to various television and web channels from different offices. During 2015-16 and upto September 2016, 879 news video clippings were uploaded in the clip mail website. The photography division of the department covers almost all government functions in the state capital and the districts. During the period, more than 5000 photographs were released to the media from headquarters and around 4000 from district offices.

Production of Video Documentaries

This involves production and broadcasting of various video magazine programmes through electronic media. “Janapatham” the weekly radio documentary on development initiatives of the government has been on the air in All India Radio since September 10, 2011. All stations of All India Radio in Kerala carry the programme on Saturdays. Till October, 2015 and upto September, 2016 a total number of 11 episodes have been broadcasted. “Priyakeralam” a weekly developmental programme in Doordarshan is being broadcasting on Saturday 7 PM and Sunday 9 AM. During the period, 27 episodes were produced and transmitted. “Nottam” video competition programme for popularizing government schemes was a major initiative during this period.

Government Web Portal

The Web and New Media Division of Information and Publicity department maintains the web portal of Government of Kerala (www.kerala.gov.in) and web sites of other departments. The portal provides general information about the State including the structure of the Government, functions of various Government departments and agencies, details of Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly and other elected representatives and provides entry to other departmental websites. Currently, the division manages the content of 18 websites of Ministers. More than 30,000 GOs/Circulars/ Notifications were added in the sites during this period. All publications of the department are made available online. The division has completed the Malayalam translation of the department website and the translation work of government portal has commenced. The division also undertakes periodic content updates of the following websites- Personnel Assets (pa.kerala.gov.in), GAD Special A&C (gadsplais.kerala.gov.in), RTI (rti.kerala.gov.in), First Ministry (firstministry.kerala.gov.in), Achievements of Government (achievements.kerala.gov.in) and Sabarimala (sabarimala.kerala.gov.in). Annually, the results of SSLC, higher secondary and entrance examination results are being published through the web portal and had registered visits from 20 lakh people a year.

Interstate Public Relations

Conducting special press conferences of Chief Ministers and other media related public relations activities in metro cities to highlight the developmental activities of states comes under interstate public relations activities of the department. The Kerala pavilion set by the department won gold medal in the India International Trade Fair in New Delhi in 2015 and 2016.

Video Wall Network

LED display boards (video walls) have already been erected in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikkode, Kannur, Idukki and Ernakulam for streaming information on various development and welfare schemes of the government.

Kerala Art and Cultural Centre at New Delhi

Kerala Art and Cultural Centre at New Delhi was set up to propagate the rich tradition of the art, culture and literature of the State. As part of this, Delhi Keralalotsavam, a fiesta of different arts from Kerala was conducted at Kerala House premises in New Delhi in March 2016.

Integrated Development News Grid

For the timely dissemination of local level development news, a separate news portal was set up under the News Grid project. This portal has been redesigned by adding new tools of communication. The project helped timely reporting of development news from government institutions at grass root level.

Press Information Services

Convening press meets, and providing better facilities to reporters for easy reporting are the major activities of press information services. Around thousand press releases were made every month. Every District Information offices are also giving press releases regularly. These releases are e-mailed to the media and the same is published in the department website also. The scrutiny wing of the department is now scrutinizing the print and visual media on various government policies, programmes and other important issues related to government. Automation of Journalist and non-Journalist pension, accreditation and release of advertisement are progressing. 512 persons including dependents are availing working journalist pension. Eminent journalist pension (42 Nos.), distress journalist pension (183 Nos.) and non-journalist pension (749 Nos.) are also being given.

Publication and Advertisement

Publications of reference books, magazines, newsletters, pamphlets, and display advertisement are the major activities. “Janapadham” and “Kerala Calling” are the two important newsletters. During 2015-16, the department gave 185 total display advertisements, 4 electronic media advertisement and 5 advertisements in publication. During 2015-16, 17 crores had been released from tenders, 3.44 crores from electronic media and 10.08 crores from display advertisement.

Media Academy

Kerala Media Academy is an institution under Government of Kerala to conduct media related courses. Documentary shooting of Victers channel of the Department of Education started in Kozhikkode, Malappuram and Kannur districts was the major achievement.

Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (C-DIT)

C-DIT established in 1988 is an autonomous research and training institute in the area of imaging technology. Following are the achievements of C-DIT in 2015-16.

• Digitalized around 64 lakhs property documents in 9 Sub Registrar Offices in Thiruvananthapuram district and made it available online for public access and digitalized 60 lakhs pages of old documents in palm leaves and paper medium for State Archives Department.
• Conducted State wide roll out of spot issuance of Identity Cards to the differently abled persons
• Designed and implemented solar power plants to 15 LSGD institutions.
• Developed and facilitated ‘Nottam’, the online reality show and documentary competition for Information and Public Relations Department.
• Technical Support and facilitation was given for ‘Karuthal 2015’ and Jana Samparkka Paripadi (JSP) of Chief Minister.
• Developed software for the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival and designed high security hologram tax labels for Excise department.

The importance of a focussed infrastructure development has been well recognised in the State. Recent policy measures have been aimed at establishing a sound infrastructure in the State in terms of roads, ports, IT infrastructure and communication networks. The State needs to now address the infrastructural gaps and outline a vision for comprehensive development in this sector. Measures need to be taken to promote inland water transportation where the State has immense potential but is not being used to its capacity. Energy security is another area which needs vital attention, especially generation of electricity through non-renewable sources and improvement of the transmission networks. The IT sector, in general, is braving major challenges due to changes on the global front. Enough opportunities have to be created within the State so that this potential is tapped fully.