The Maharashtra government Friday issued guidelines to all its departments through a Government Resolution (GR) to promptly respond to “non-factual or misleading news” about the state government.
The move come two weeks after the state issued a GR to set up a media monitoring centre at an estimated cost of `10 crore to monitor news coverage related to the government — be it print, electronic, social or digital. The centre will analyse the coverage and take action on the spread of “negative” or “misleading” news related to the state government.
The GR issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), signed by Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, says that reports are often not factual and are even misleading.
It is expected that the state government should publish factual information or feedback within a minimum of one day from the publication of the news, the guidelines state.
“If the government takes the seriousness of such incidents into account, acknowledges them and responds promptly, it helps enhance the government’s image among the public. However, despite this, it has come to the government’s attention that the departments of the state government do not show promptness in responding to non-factual or misleading news published about the overall functioning of the state government in various media,” the GR states.
It said that during a meeting held under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on January 15, 2025, and as per the instructions given by the chief minister in the Cabinet meeting on February 3, 2025, a detailed procedural guideline was under consideration by the government.
Principal Secretary, DGIPR, Brijesh Singh said, “The circular aims to streamline the government’s response to press reports concerning public grievances and complaints. Our goal is to ensure swift cognisance and action, leading to improved and more efficient public service delivery for the citizens of Maharashtra. We recognise the press as a vital conduit for public feedback. This initiative is designed to foster a more structured and productive dialogue between the government and the media, enabling us to address citizen concerns effectively and transparently.”
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As per the GR, the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations will compile news requiring a response published in newspapers (print media) and clippings of such news and their links will be sent to the departments concerned on the same day through a computer tool.
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