I&B ministry wing to listen to social media chatter & push govt steps soon
The proposed wing will be used as one centralised unit for integrating and publicising the initiatives of all ministries and government departments on the various social media platforms.
It will also be used to check the online debates emanating from the spread of misinformation or unverified information.
Sources said that a Cabinet note to this effect has been drafted, which will soon be moved for inter-ministerial consultations. The government will seek the approval of the Union Cabinet after the consultations. The proposed wing will be established at a one-time investment of R50 lakh to R1 crore.
The social media wing will be headed by a joint secretary level officer with full-time support from over half-dozen directors and other officers.
Support from outside agencies will also be sought for tackling any back-end issues. Among other things, the mandate of the proposed wing will also be to interlink the government's publicity components with the webpage and Google+ and other social networking circles.
The proposed wing will also be expected to organise ‘online’ press conferences and Google+ hangouts. Under the social media wing, it will become the responsibility of information officers attached with various ministries to address the suggestions, complaints and feedback generated online. They will also be required to maintain their Facebook accounts, highlighting the individual achievements of
