Govt to appoint media heads for ministries to ease communication

In a bid to streamline media and communications functions, the government has issued a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which formally designates one chief of media and communications (CMC) for each ministry or department. Currently, two or more Indian Information Service (ISS) officers are assigned to each ministry or department.

- Sejal Sharma

As per the SOP, “the senior most PIB officer posted in the ministry/department will normally be the CMC,” who will serve as the “single point of contact for all media, publicity, information, and communication related activities”.

The SOP, dated November 17, was part of the letter sent by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) to all ISS officers and senior PPS (principal private secretary) to secretaries of various departments) ministries.