GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

INFORMATION AND PUBLICRELATIONS DEPARTMENT

DR. PALLE RAGHUNATHA REDDYMinister for Information and Public Relations,Information Technology & Communications,

NRI Empowerment & Relations, Telugu Language & Culture,Minority Welfare and Empowerment

DEMAND NO. XIXOUTCOME BUDGET 2016-17

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GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

OUTCOME BUDGET 2016-17

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The main objective of the department is basically two fold – to inform the

public about the policies and programmes of the government on one hand and to

keep the government informed of the people’s response to its policies and

programmes on the other hand. Communication is the most vital process for socio-

economic development. The department operates its multi-media systems for

effective publicity of development and welfare programmes and acts as a bridge

between the people and the Government and creates awareness among all sections

of the people.

The Information and Public Relations Department plays a very important

role in strengthening the democracy by empowering people with relevant

information on all Government policies and programmes. Hence, this department

employs different media for effective dissemination of information on all

programmes. The multi-media publicity plays a vital role.

The department’s multi media campaign on ‘Janmabhoomi-Maavooru’

programme, ‘Rythanna Runavimukthi’ ‘NTR Bharosa scheme’, ‘Panta Sanjeevani’

‘Double Digit Growth’, ‘Inter-linking of Rivers’ ‘Partnership Summit’ etc., has

enhanced people’s confidence in this government.

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CHAPTER – I

Introductory Note on the Department

Hon’ble Speaker Sir,

It is my privilege to move the Budget Demand No.XIX Information and

Public Relations for Rs.142,27,59,000 for the Financial Year 2016-17.

OBJECTIVES

The Department of Information and Public Relations functions to achieve its

objectives and goals through dissemination and transmission of Information,

Publicity and Public Relations. The department operates its multi-media systems

for effective publicity and performs a signal service in acting as a bridge between

the people and the government and creates awareness among all sections of the

people on government policies, plans and programmes intended for welfare and

development.

METHODOLOGY

Dissemination of Information

The main objective of the department is basically two fold viz., informing

the public about the policies and programmes of the government on one hand and

on the other, keeping the government informed of the people’s reaction to its

policies and programmes. Communication is the most vital process of socio-

economic development.

This department adopts different methods to facilitate dissemination of

information and publicity activities of the department.

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FUNCTIONS

The Department discharges the following key functions:

1. Publicizes the activities of the government through mass media, Maintains

liaison with Print Media, AIR, Doordarshan, Directorate of Audio Visual

Publicity, Press Information Bureau, news agencies,T.V channels besides

conducting Press tours, issuing advertisements, organizing exhibitions, Song

& Drama Programmes, photo services and films, brings out Adhoc

Publications and A.P. Journal, maintaining Media Information Monitoring

System, conducting training, maintaining community television sets,

installation of public address system, audio visual equipment, electronic

news recording & analysis, department’s Information Technology services

like website maintenance, utilizing social media like Facebook, Twitter,

Youtube, Telegram etc.

2. Keeping the people informed of the services made available for them by the

Government.

3. Creating awareness on precautions to be taken during natural calamities,

heatwaves, contagious and infectious diseases besides eradication of social

evils like dowry, child marriages, bonded labour, child labour etc.

ORGANISATIONAL SET UP

COMMISSIONERATE:

The Department is headed by Commissioner assisted by Additional Director,

Joint Directors, Regional Information Engineers, Deputy Directors, Assistant

Directors, Editors, Script Writers, Information Officer, Public Relations Officers,

Deputy Executive Information Engineer, Accounts Officer, Junior Accounts

Officers and subordinate staff at the Commissionerate level.

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PUBLICITY CELL

The Department’s Publicity Cell at Secretariat is monitored by a Deputy

Director assisted by an Assistant Director and staff. The Publicity Cell organizes

Press conferences of Hon’ble Chief Minister, Hon’ble Ministers and Secretaries to

Government of all departments and arranges media coverage for Government

functions, release of press notes and photos.

STATE INFORMATION CENTRE AT NEW DELHI

The Andhra Pradesh State Information Centre (APIC) at New Delhi was

established in 1968. Its main functions are disseminating information of the State

Government to national and international media and assisting media personnel by

making available backgrounders etc., from time to time. The APIC which

functions under a Special Officer with assisting officers and staff arranges media

coverage to the VIPs who visit national capital, organizes press conferences for the

national and international media besides projecting the image of the State. During

these occasions, video, photo coverages of the event are arranged by APIC and

footage and photos along with appropriate write-ups are released to the media. For

the benefit of large number of visitors to A.P. Bhavan, APIC organizes regular

photo exhibitions highlighting the schemes of the State Government. Media tours

are conducted from New Delhi to different places in the State to provide first hand

information on the developmental activities taken up by the State government by

providing a national platform and recognition. The APIC runs a media centre for

the benefit of media representatives with internet, TV and telephone facilities.

FIELD UNITS

The Department’s 4 Regional Offices located at Visakhapatnam,

Vijayawada, Ongole and Kadapa are functioning under the control of Regional

Joint Directors with assisting staff. The Regional Joint Directors control and

supervise the functions of 13 District Offices, 6 State Information Centres located

at Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Tirumala and Kurnool and

4 Special Publicity Cells. Besides, a temporary Commissionerate is functioning at

Vijayawada.

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The field units of Engineering Wing of the Department have 2 Regional

Offices, each headed by a Regional Information Engineer, located at

Visakhapatnam and Ongole to control and supervise the functions of

(14) Deputy Executive Information Engineers in their respective jurisdiction.

SPECIAL PUBLICITY CELLS

Out of 4 Special Publicity Cells under the control of Assistant Project

Officers, 2 are functioning in tribal areas at the headquarters of Integrated Tribal

Development Agencies (ITDA) at Paderu (Visakhapatnam District),

Rampachodavaram (East Godavari District) and 2 Special Publicity cells at

Anantapuramu and Chittoor.

MEDIA RELATIONS

In democracy, media plays a significant role and acts as a facilitator to

bridge the gap between the Government and people in the aspects of

communication of Government policies and programmes. Media Relations wing of

I&PR Department maintains cordial relations with the fourth estate and utilizes the

media to highlight the developmental and welfare activities of the Government and

also for effective coverage of the Government programmes. It also elicits feedback

from people, conveys it to government so as to enable the government to take up

corrective steps in tune with the feelings of people.

To ensure wide coverage of the Government programmes and policies, Press

Conferences, Press tours are conducted to showcase the implementation process of

development and welfare schemes. The Publicity Cell of I&PR Department

functions from Secretariat throughout the year to cater to the needs of the Media.

FAX and Internet facilities are provided in the Publicity Cell for timely

transmission of important press matter and photos to the media and also to field

offices and vice-versa.

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i) MAIN OBJECTIVES

a) The main objective of the media wing is basically two fold viz., informing

the public of the policies and programmes of the Government on one hand

and to inform the Government about the people’s response towards its

policies and programmes on the other hand.

b) To create awareness among the people on welfare schemes so as to enable

them derive the benefits.

Press Tours/Press Parties/Press Releases :- The media relations wing’s main job

is to liaise with media during visits of VVIPs, foreign dignitaries, H.E. President of

India, Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Governor

besides the programmes of Hon’ble Chief Minister and Hon’ble Ministers. It also

ensures effective coverage of the campaigns on socio-economic development.

ii) FACILITIES TO MEDIA

a) Accreditations: Accreditations will be issued to the media persons for the

purpose of access to sources of information. The journalists working in both

Print and Electronic Media will be provided accreditations to enable them to

utilize the opportunities provided by the Government thus playing the role of

facilitator to the Fourth Estate.

b) Working Journalists Health Scheme: The Government is implementing

Working Journalists Health Scheme for accredited journalists of print,

electronic and freelance journalists as well as their family members. The

payment of premium of Rs.2,500/- is on 50:50 basis by Government and

journalists. Health cards have been issued to 6,400 accredited journalists

and freelance journalists, covering 19,869 family members.

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c) Welfare Fund: With a view to extend relief to the journalists who are in dire

need and distress, Government have created Welfare Fund for journalists

with a corpus fund of Rs. 61.58 lakhs. The fund is being administered by a

State Committee chaired by Hon’ble Minister (I&PR). The interest accrued

on the corpus fund will be distributed among the needy journalists as

financial assistance and pension to the dependents of deceased journalists.

d) Matching grants for Press Clubs: The Government extends financial

assistance towards grant-in-aid on matching basis for the construction /

repairs of the press clubs at State and District level.

e) Tripartite Committee to oversee implementation of Wage Awards:

The Tripartite Committee shall oversee implementations of recommendations

of Wage Board with Commissioner of Labour as Chairman.

f) High Power Committee to look into the cases of Attacks & Assaults on

Journalists : High Power committee shall look into the cases of attacks and

assaults on journalists and to recommend remedial measures. The Hon’ble

Minister for Home is Chairman, Minister (I&PR), Vice-Chairman and

Commissioner, I&PR, Member-Convenor of the Committee. There are

district level committees headed by the District Collector as Chairman and

DPRO as Member-Convenor. The term of the committee is two years at

State level. The Committee examines cases of attacks and assaults on

journalists as and when such reports appear in the newspaper or on receipt of

specific complaints from journalists associations or aggrieved journalist.

g) Awards to Journalists: In appreciation of the talents of the working

journalists, Government have constituted annual awards. V.R. Narla Life

Time Achievement Award carries a cash prize of Rs.3.00 lakhs. State Best

Journalist and State Best Press Photographer award carry a cash prize of

Rs.2.00 lakh each. Three Best Rural Journalists Awards carry cash awards

of Rs. 2.00 lakh, 1.00 lakh and Rs.50,000 respectively. An award in

memory of Sri Madduri Annapoornaiah was instituted with a cash award of

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Rs.1.00 lakh. One State Best Woman Journalist Award carries cash prize of

Rs. 1.00 lakh. The Government have constituted the Best Cartoonist Award,

Best Urdu Journalist award, Best Electronic Media Journalist Award, Best

Videographer Award with a cash prize of Rs.1.00 lakh each. These awards

will not only inspire the journalists fraternity to improve their professional

skills but also help to identify the talented journalists. These awards over the

years have played a key role in turning focus on developmental journalism.

PHOTO SERVICES

The Photography medium is an important tool of visual communication

through which the developmental programmes and welfare schemes of the State

Government are communicated effectively. Photographs remain as eternal

document of proof.

The department organizes day-to-day photo coverages of H.E.Governor,

Hon’ble Chief Minister, Hon’ble Ministers, VIP visits, official functions and

meetings of the State Government departments. The photos of news value and

human interest are released to the media on the same day.

During the visits of VVIPs like President of India, Vice-President, Prime

Minister or any other foreign dignitaries apart from central teams on natural

calamities etc, photo coverages will be arranged.

Enlarged latest photos are displayed at Secretariat every week and supplied

to field offices for organizing photo exhibitions on various occasions. The photos

of various schemes/programs will be made available for publications, preparation

of posters, advertisements and exhibitions.

MEDIA INFORMATION MONITORING SYSTEM (MIMS)

In a democratic set up, newspapers play a pivotal role and act as a

communication bridge between people and the Government. Daily newspapers

communicate government policies and programmes and reflect the public opinion

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also. The news reports help the people to form opinions on the policies,

programmes and functioning of the government. In true spirit, our Government

considers newspaper reports as a feedback and take corrective steps on their basis.

The Media Information Monitoring System (MIMS) wing prepares Daily

News Digest/Special News Digest/District News Digest for perusal of Hon’ble

Chief Minister, Hon’ble Ministers, Chief Secretary and Secretaries to Government.

In order to work effectively, the news items of state editions and district tabloids

are classified into Clarification, Action, Information, Political, Editorials and

Articles department-wise. The MIMS Section also prepares Special News Digests

on important occasions, schemes/programmes, Legislative Assembly/Council

Sessions, during VIP visits etc.

The MIMS section also analyses various issues in respect of all departments,

guides the departments in issuing clarifications/rejoinders to adverse items. It

identifies adverse items published in newspapers on various issues and refers them

to respective departments and co-ordinates with them for issue of rejoinders

wherever necessary.

MEDIA ANALYSIS TEAM (MAT)

A Media Analysis Team has been established in the Hon’ble Chief

Minister’s office. The team watches the news, T.V. debates telecast in various

news channels relevant to Government and prepares daily and weekly reports on

the problems of people and on the functioning of the Government departments and

submit to Government. The team observes the news item of Main editions and

(13) district editions of Andhra Pradesh, published in big newspapers and analyses

the important news items, editorials, articles etc. The team prepares the daily

reports and weekly reports department-wise and submit to the Government. The

data will be uploaded in Website also. The team records the news published in

newspapers and telecast in T.V. news channels and retrieves the data as and when

required. The team observes the implementation of Government schemes i.e.

welfare and development and obtain the feedback from public and submit reports

to the Government.

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STATE INFORMATION UNIT (SIU)

A separate unit is established to focus and coordinate to obtain information

from different Departments of Government to disseminate information to general

public on schemes and programmes implemented and important decisions taken.

The State Information Unit (SIU) will liaise with Government departments, Chief

Minister’s office and Press and Electronic Media agencies.

STRENGTHENING GOVT., COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

This department has strengthened the Government communications System. In

this system, the Media Liaison Officers will coordinate with CMO, Ministers and

Secretaries of various departments. They will provide data on important policy

decisions and schemes for information of the people through media. They will

also issue press releases, clarifications etc., to the media. This system ensures

proper communication to media.

INFORMATION BANK

An information bank is established containing data on the developmental

programmes and welfare schemes besides the news items published in daily

newspapers, magazines, periodicals.

ADVERTISING AND VISUAL PUBLICITY

Advertisements plays a key role in carrying the message and in creating

awareness among people about developmental activities implemented for the

welfare of poor and underprivileged.

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The development activities are mainly publicized through print media

advertisements under classified & display category, outdoor and electronic media.

Release of Display advertisements on launching of new schemes and during

important events like Pulse Polio Immunization, Police Commemoration Day,

birthday celebrations of Dr. B.R.Ambedkar and Babu Jagjivan Ram etc., besides

National festivals like Independence Day, Republic Day etc.

Government have issued orders vide G.O.Ms.No.37, General Administration

(I&PR) Department, dated 22.1.1994 centralizing the release of advertisements of

all Government departments, Government undertakings/ corporations etc through

Information and Public Relations department only, w.e.f. 1.4.1994.

EXHIBITIONS

Exhibitions are effective medium of visual publicity and easily accessible to

common man. The government has nominated the department to liaise and

coordinate with State and Central government departments and public sector

undertakings in presenting colorful tableaux on the occasion of Independence Day

and Republic Day celebrations.

The department is also organizing various photo exhibitions at fairs and

festivals to educate the people about welfare and developmental activities of the

State government.

COMMUNITY VIDEO PUBLICITY PROGRAMME

The Department has a Community Video Publicity Scheme since private

channels are not in a position to cover all the developmental programmes. There is

a great demand for community video programmes in rural areas. Under this

scheme, the video cassettes supplied by this department and other government

departments are being screened to a large number of audience through TV and

LCD projectors on big screens.

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VIDEO SERVICES

All the districts have been provided with the digital video cameras for

extensive coverage of VVIP/VIP’s Programmes, developmental and welfare

activities for giving wide publicity. The Video connectivity between the State and

District Headquarters has been provided enabling transmission of video coverages

carried out at district level to Commissionerate. The Commissionerate edits various

video coverages received from field offices and send to Doordarshan and private

channels for telecasting purpose. The same content is also used for producing

success stories of various schemes of Government.

LIVE FEED TO TV CHANNELS FROM CMO

The department is providing live video to all TV channels through fiber optic

cable and associated equipment from CMO to Media point in Secretariat giving

wide coverage for the Government programmes.

LIVE TELECAST

The department is arranging live telecast of the Hon’ble Chief Minister

programmes to districts during public meetings and other important occasions. All

the Private TV channels are being provided live feed through satellite enabling

telecast simultaneously with a view to create awareness to public on various

schemes of government.

PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS

The department is arranging public address system during VVIP / VIP visits

and State functions for large gatherings in the districts as well as at the State

Headquarters.

ARRANGEMENT OF LED SCREENS

The department arranges Light Emitting Diode (LED) screens during VIP

programmes and other important occasions for viewing by large public gatherings.

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COMMUNITY TELEVISION SETS

The department is maintaining community TV sets installed in the State in

Gram Panchayats, SC & ST colonies and community TV sets installed in other

institutions viz., schools, institutes, jails etc.

VIDEO CONFERENCING SYSTEM

The technical persons of offices of Deputy Executive Information Engineers

at District level coordinating with IT&C Department to operate the video

conference system at district level.

I&PR WEBSITE “ipr.ap.nic.in”

The I&PR Department website is dynamic with daily updates of coverages

of Hon’ble Chief Minister and other VIP programmes. The photographs and video

clips of the programmes are made available in the website. The website displays

important news scrolls in Telugu and English.

SONG & DRAMA

The department is utilising the traditional art forms like Harikatha,

Burrakatha, Playlets, Magic, Mimicry, Veedhinatakam, etc., to publicize the

welfare and developmental programmes of the government in rural and urban

areas throughout the State. During festivals, Song & Drama programmes are

organized to enlighten the masses about welfare and developmental schemes.

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INFORMATION CENTRES

The main objective of Information Centre is to make available authentic

information at one place to organizations and individuals interested in policies,

programmes and achievements of the government on different subjects. The

Information Centre which serves as clearing house of knowledge is equipped with

Reading Room, Reference Library and Enquiry Desk.

State Information Centres are functioning at Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada,

Rajahmundry, Kurnool, Tirupathi, Tirumala besides AP Information Centre at

New Delhi. District Information Centres at district headquarters and Divisional

Information Centres at divisional headquarters get newspapers, journals and

publicity material for the use of visitors and information is also made available in

the form of charts, maps, photographs, etc., to publicize government activities and

project image of the State.

PUBLICATIONS

The Printed word with visuals carries a great impact among literates. The

department creates awareness among the people through its publications whenever

the government launches a new scheme or programme. The department is utilizing

the publication medium to a maximum extent possible. The department brings out

regularly ‘Andhra Pradesh’ Journal in Telugu and English apart from adhoc

publications, viz., posters, pamphlets, folders, booklets, brochures etc on various

developmental and welfare activities. These publications are circulated to the

public libraries, schools, gram Panchayats, government offices, people’s

representatives, opinion leaders and research scholars specializing in development,

planning and administration. Publications brought out by the department are being

distributed in the entire State through the field staff in publicity vehicles.

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The field officers are also bringing out publications in consultation with

District Collectors reflecting the progress made in the districts especially welfare

programmes implemented for the benefit of farmers, weaker sections etc., of the

society.

ANDHRA PRADESH JOURNAL

‘Andhra Pradesh’, a monthly Journal, is being published by the Department

in Telugu and English with a circulation of 51,700 and 2,500 copies respectively.

The copies are being sold in open market at nominal price and distributed free-of-

cost to the VIPs, writers, accredited journalists, people’s representatives, all district

libraries and grampanchayats.

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CHAPTER – III

Reform Measures and Policy Initiatives

The reform measures and policy initiatives taken up by the department recently

are as follows:

1) FULL COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE POLICY SCHEME TO

WORKING JOURNALISTS

The Government have issued orders introducing the Full Comprehensive

Insurance Policy Scheme to the Working Journalists for a sum assured of

Rs.10.00 lakhs. Modalities have been finalised for effective implementation of

the scheme during the year 2016-17.

2) SOCIAL MEDIA

The department is taking innovative steps to make use of Social media

for effective publicity of government schemes. The department has opened

Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts and developmental news is

being posted instantly by respective District Officers. The department is also

utilizing Youtube by posting video clips of welfare programmes, important

events, etc., Besides, the department has created (3) groups – 1) Media Group

2) I&PR Officers’ Group and 3) District Officers’ Group for instant messaging

with district officers, media and for internal communication among officers

through Tablet PCs. Important announcements from Hon’ble Chief Minister’s

Office and visits of Hon’ble Ministers in the districts are being posted in

Media Group. In the I&PR Officers’ Group, the officers are posting press notes

and photos of the events of their districts for internal communication among

officers. In the District Officers’ Group, press clippings including adverse

news clippings are being posted for issue of rejoinders by respective

departments.

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3) e-Office

The department has initiated e-office to man day-to-day file process in

electronic mode. e-Office facilitates easy electronic data transfer, easy

documentation with upload facility and the workflow helps file transfer from

one seat to another seat irrespective of location. Since it will be integrated with

digital signature, authentication is also available with this workflow. It

enhances transparency in administration, financial matters as well as service

matters.

4) ELECTRONIC MEDIA MONITORING CELL (EMMC)

As an initiative to update the Government at different levels on various

issues in the State, important TV news scroll matters / bulletins in Telugu are

being sent daily (6) times for every two hours at 9.00 a.m, 11.30 a.m,

2.00 p.m, 4.00 p.m, 7.00 p.m, and 9.00 p.m. The scrolls / bulletins are being

mailed to Hon’ble Chief Minister’s office, Hon’ble Ministers, Hon’ble Advisor

(Communications), District Collector etc.

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CHAPTER – V

Financial Review

(Rupees in lakhs)

Sl.

No.

Source of Financing

Budget

Estimates

2015-16

Revised

Estimates

2015-16

Budget

Estimates

2016-17

1 Films

261.83 261.83 261.83

2 Direction &

Administration

2879.74 3177.35 3927.39

3 Research and Training in

Mass Communications

550.00 715.00 1973.00

4 Advertising and Visual

Publicity

6086.48 9351.85 8013.87

5 Press Information

Services

42.42 37.10 51.50

6 Special Component Plan

for SCs

1000.00 1000.00 -

7 Tribal areas sub-plan

250.00 250.00 -

Total 11070.47

14793.13 14227.59

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CHAPTER – VI

Review of Performance of Statutory and Autonomous Bodies

1) A.P. STATE FILM, TV AND THEATRE DEVELOPMENT

CORPORATION LIMITED

PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF FILM INDUSTRY IN A.P

The main objective of the Andhra Pradesh State Film Television and Theatre

Development Corporation Limited is to promote film industry in the State. This

Corporation has been appointed as a nodal agency for implementing grant of

incentive schemes under Single Window System.

PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTARIES AND NEWSREELS

The Corporation produces documentary films and newsreels on behalf of the

Government and Public sector undertakings in digital format and video format.

The digital format documentary films on developmental and welfare schemes are

screened in cinema theatres to which the corporation issues ‘No Objection

Certificates’. The Corporation has produced (5) Newsreels and (20) documentaries.

PRODUCTION OF VIDEO FILMS AND QUICKIES

The corporation has been producing video films and video quickies on

various subjects relating to different schemes/programmes.

The corporation has produced (3) video quickies on 24 x 7 power supply,

NTR Bharosa and NTR Arogya seva.

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PREPARATION AND SUPPLY OF PRE-RECORDED AUDIO CASSETTES AND CDs

The corporation has prepared CDs containing songs on Janmabhoomi-

Maavooru programme and Godavari Pushkaralu.

SUBSIDY TO FEATURE FILMS

INCENTIVES TO TELUGU FEATURE FILMS

As part of encouragement to Telugu film producers in the State, government

is offering incentives by way of cash subsidy and concessions in entertainment tax.

LOW BUDGET GOOD FILM SUBSIDY FOR TELUGU FEATURE FILMS: An amount

of Rs.10 lakhs per film (not exceeding two films) is given subsidy subject to

adjudication by a committee constituted for the purpose.

SUBSIDY FOR TELUGU CHILDREN FEATURE FILMS: Scripts approved by the

corporation in pursuance of the rules in force are eligible for cash subsidy not

exceeding Rs.35 lakhs.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND STIPENDS

To encourage students hailing from Andhra Pradesh who are studying in

Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and Chennai, the corporation is

awarding scholarships @ Rs. 10,000 per student per year.

NANDI AWARDS

The Corporation has organized Nandi Theatre Awards upto 2015.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO NATAKA SAMAJAMS

The corporation has organised the award winning plays in various places in

the state as well as outside the state by giving financial assistance.

ACTIVITIES IN 2016-17

During the year 2016-17, the Corporation propose to produce

(25) Documentary films on various developmental schemes of Government. It is

also propose to make (4) video films and (20) video quickies to telecast through

different TV channels for the benefit of the general public for publicizing various

Government programmes and schemes.

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NANDI AWARDS

The Corporation proposed to organize the presentation of Nandi Film

awards and Nandi TV awards for the years 2012 and 2013 during the financial year

2016-17.

2) PRESS ACADEMY OF ANDHRA PRADESH

The Government of Andhra Pradesh established ‘The Press Academy of

A.P’ in the year 1996 with the noble objective of promoting high standards in

journalism and to promote and coordinate study and research in the field of

journalism in the State. Conducting refresher courses for mofussil journalists is one

of the main activities of the Academy. Publication of books, monographs, research

papers etc., are some of the other programmes. Getting the working journalists

acquainted with the latest technology in Print and Electronic media and the latest

trends in the world of journalism is also one of the aims of the Academy.

Accordingly, the Academy organizes training classes, workshops, seminars,

exhibitions independently and also in association with organizations of working

journalists including cultural reporters, newspaper managements, Universities and

other professional organizations.

ACTIVITIES IN 2016-17

The Press Academy of A.P. proposes to conduct refresher courses/ training

classes for mofussil journalists to enable them to improve their professional skills.

The Academy also train the journalists and contributors to learn basics of

computers, use of email, internet and Social media for transmission of news items

to publication centres or district headquarters offices.

The Academy proposes to continue digitization of old newspapers and

periodicals for the use of journalists, research scholars, students etc.

Dr. PALLE RAGHUNATHA REDDY

Minister for Information and Public Relations,

Information Technology & Communications,

NRI Empowerment & Relations, Telugu Language & Culture,

Minority Welfare and Empowerment,

Government of A.P., Hyderabad