Chief Secretary of Nagaland, J. Alam, IAS has directed the State Government Departments to clear all pending bills to the Media houses at the earliest to ensure smooth functioning and cordial relationship between the Government of Nagaland and the media, during a meeting held on 17th March 2021 at the Secretariat Conference Hall, Kohima.   

            J. Alam informed that a memorandum from the media houses of the State regarding pending advertisement bills was received by the State Government which was taken up in the Cabinet Meeting held on 11th March 2021. He stated that the Cabinet was of the view that the media plays an important role in the State and felt that no dues should be left pending so as to ensure proper functioning of the media houses. In order to address and resolve the issue this meeting has been convened, he added.

            The Chief Secretary called for modernization of bill payment system by the Departments and urged them to make electronic payments, adding that technology has provided solutions to various problems and challenges faced by the State Government in the past as well. The Chief Secretary also mooted the possibility of developing appropriate software in consultation with Technical Department.

            The meeting deliberated on various other issues related to the functioning of the media and Government and agreed on various points to be taken up at the earliest.

            The Chief Secretary urged payments of all pending bill to media houses to be cleared by 31st March 2021.

            Each department will appoint one nodal officer for advertisement related matters and will submit the name along with designation, phone number and email address to the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR). DIPR will send the compiled list to the media houses.

            The State Government will hold an internal meeting with all Departments and workout policies for better functioning and relationship between the Government and media in the State.

            The meeting was attended by officials from concerned departments and representatives from Morung Express, Eastern Mirror, Nagaland Page, Nagaland Post and Tir Yimyim.

                                                                                                (Akummeren, IA)