Katra: Media should write ground level stories that focus on the beneficiaries of government schemes. This was stated by  Rajinder Chaudhry, Additional Director General (ADG), PIB, Northern Region while addressing Vartalap programme with media in Katra district of Reasi district in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir held on 23rd October. PIB Jammu’s Vartalap acts as a bridge between the government and media in order to reach out to the people at grassroots. Chaudhry also urged the media to highlight success stories of persons who have benefited from government schemes in the region. At the same time, he urged the media to use feedback mechanisms to bring to the government’s notice any shortcomings in the implementation of the schemes and development programmes.

Making a presentation on ‘9 Years of Seva, Sushasan and Gharib Kalyan, the ADG said a lot of work has been done on the development front in J&K in these years. He said the region is uniquely placed as it has now its own AIIMS, IIM, IIMC and IIT. Talking about the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Mission, he said the UT of J&K has universal healthcare coverage. Similar achievements must be highlighted by the media, he called upon media persons attending the programme.

Among the speakers at the event were Rakesh Kumar Salgotra, Horticulture Development Officer, Reasi, Gopal Dutt, Block Medical Officer, Reasi and Mohd. Arif Lone, Assistant Director, Tourism. They shared the achievements and programmes undertaken by  their departments in the last nine years.

In his opening remarks, Ghulam Abbas, Joint Director, PIB, Jammu, asked media to carry balanced stories in their outlets for greater credibility among the masses. He also appealed to the media to inform and educate the public about the Government of India’a welfare programmes and schemes. Abbas urged the media to avail of the Journalist Welfare Scheme which offers financial assistance to journalists and their families in extreme hardship.

A Question and Answer (Q&A) session was held during which media persons shared the issues faced by them in the discharge of their professional duties.