Govt sets up 11-member panel of spokespersons

The government has set up a panel of 11 ministers who will function as its official spokespersons and propagate its point of view on various matters and issues.

The government has set up a panel of 11 ministers who will function as its official spokespersons and propagate its point of view on various matters and issues.

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“The panel has been appointed to strengthen the government’s media outreach and effectively communicate its point of view in an era of rapidly expanding media, especially the electronic media,” said Neelam Kapoor, director general, Press Information Bureau.

The panel comprises Krishna Tirath, Ajay Maken, Jyotiraditya Scindia, D Purandeswari, MM Pallam Raju, Jitin Prasada, Sachin Pilot, R P N Singh, Ashwani Kumar, Milind Deora and Rajeev Shukla.

“It is difficult for the Group of Ministers (GoM) on media to be present in each and every event. This panel will help the government deal effectively with the expanding constituents of the media,” said a government official. The spokespersons’ panel will be distinct from the GoM on media set up in May after the government faced flak from within on its handling of Anna Hazare’s hunger strike.

While the GoM on media is involved in strategising on media, the spokespersons’ panel will carry the mandate to participate in television panel discussions and represent the union government's proactive presence in the fast expanding regional media.