Top babus now tasked with fact-checking media reports

Time of India

22-06-2025

More than three months after the general administration department prescribed stringent guidelines for electronic and print media, it was found that by and large, there is massive laxity in the implementation of critical orders.
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Chief secretary Sujata Saunik has now issued revised orders, saying it will be the responsibility of the additional chief secretary, the principal secretary and the secretary of the department concerned to ensure that orders are implemented in their letter and spirit.
CM Devendra Fadnavis had held a series of meetings on publication of govt news in print and electronic media. The general administration department issued guidelines from all departments for securing accuracy of media reports.
Then, it was submitted that in the event of a false news report, a clarification was to be published in 24 hours in case of print media and within an hour on electronic media. But it was found that no critical step was taken by the directorate general of information and public relations (DGIPR) for publication of govt response.
To build the state govt's image, Saunik has directed heads of all departments to take immediate cognisance of false news in both electronic and print media and issue a proper clarification immediately.
All departments must involve departmental liaison officers in the entire exercise. DGIPR will ensure that the statement of facts is submitted to the agency concerned immediately.
A senior bureaucrat said that in the recent past, DGIPR lost significance since most of the cabinet members have their own public relations officers, most of whom are private. The entire episode has created a big challenge for DGIPR.
Due justice
The conviction of a Thane-based hawker for a murder attempt on a former assistant municipal commissioner in 2021 assumes significance since it was found that most public servants are reluctant to lodge a complaint in view of the complex procedure and harassment.
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Kalpita Pimple, then assistant commissioner, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), was seriously injured when she was attacked by the hawker and his colleagues while she was removing illegal structures.
The hawker attacked her with a sharp weapon, chopping off three of her fingers. Her colleague, too, was grievously hurt. TMC officials as well as police personnel immediately nabbed the hawker.
More significant is the fact that a team of lawyers led by Shishir Hiray submitted the chargesheet in a time-bound period. Hiray brought it to the notice of the judge that it was a murderous attack and maximum punishment should be imposed on the accused. He said it was a prestigious case for him since hawkers attack officials and vanish from the scene, with no witness coming forward to depose. Sessions judge Ashutosh Bhagwat accepted Hiray's contention and gave the hawker seven years of rigorous imprisonment for the murder bid.