Polls coming: Govt oils propaganda machine

NEW DELHI: As the countdown for the elections begins, the NDA government has set its eyes on a revamp of its information and publicity set-up. After it recently eased out S Y Qureshi as director-general of Doordarshan, it is learnt, the next official it plans to replace is the present Press Information Officer (PIO) Sahib Singh, who is in charge of the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
Officially, the government denies that any such change is on the anvil but reliable sources in the information and broadcasting ministry maintain that such a move is under contemplation.It is learnt that Sahib Singh has been sent feelers about an alternate posting with the Planning Commission. Sudheendra Kulkarni, OSD in the Prime Minister’s Officer (PMO), who is also doubling as adviser with the I&B ministry, is being tipped to take charge as the next PIO.
When contacted, Sahib Singh maintained he had not been told about any such decision, though he was aware of the speculation in this regard. The objective is to ensure that key departments, handling the government’s publicity, are put under the charge of ‘‘trusted’’ officials who will not hesitate to push the NDA agenda in the run-up to the elections. Both Doordarshan and PIB are considered important for the dissemination of information on the government’s achievements.
It was pointed out that in the case of the appointment of a PIO, the rules allow for the induction of an ‘‘outsider’’. As regards, DG, Doordarshan, and DG, All India Radio (a post which is also vacant), the government is first required to advertise the posts. Only if a suitable candidate is not available, can the government select experts from outside the service. Besides ensuring that the three key departments — Doordarshan, AIR and PIB — are under the charge of ‘‘trusted’’ officials, the Centre is also reviving Doordarshan’s news channel.
Facing stiff competition from the plethora of independent news channels, which are outside official control, the government feels the need for a 24-hour news channel which can be used to publicise the ruling coalition’s successes.