Goa Govt appoints Director I

Panaji, Aug 27 (UNI) The Goa government has designated the Director of the Information and Publicity as its Public Relations Officer (PRO) and the official spokesman.

He is authorised to issue clarifications on various matters pertaining to the government, media, take notice of the press reports appearing in the media and seek clarifications from the concerned department/autonomous bodies and organise various press conferences.

An official release to this effect was issued today by the Chief Secretary, directing all heads of the departments/autonomous bodies to designate a senior officer in their respective department, preferably the second senior most in the hierarchy, as the PRO within 20 days.

The government had also decided to designate one officer in every department/autonomous body as the PRO, with a view to apprise the public on a regular basis about the developmental and progressive activities being undertaken by different departments.

The PROs are expected to deal effectively with the negative publicity emanating due to lack of information or otherwise.

The PRO will give necessary information to the press, address joint press conference with the Director of Information, ensure cordial relations with the public, and build and maintain the organisation's image and reputation, the release added.

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