THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
[SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR]
(a) The Ministry has calibrated its communication strategy in a phased manner depending upon the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country. While the focus during early phase of the pandemic being on the message of “Stay Home, Stay Safe”, it was shifted on the message of “Jab Tak Dawai Nahi, Tab Tak Dhilai Nahi” with gradual re-opening of the various sectors. Since the launch of the vaccination drive, messages to build vaccine confidence and address vaccine related disinformation have been disseminated. To emphasise on the continuous need to observe precautions, message “Dawai Bhi, Kadai Bhi” is being disseminated.
Various measures taken in this regard include:
i. Regular press conferences,
ii. Daily COVID-19 Bulletin and issue of press releases from the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
iii. Information regarding COVID-19 has been disseminated through news bulletins, expert based discussion programmes and public service announcements on Doordarshan and All India Radio.
iv. On social media, a dedicated Twitter handle @COVIDNewsByMIB was established for COVID-19 related awareness. Infographics related to COVID-19 statistics on COVID-19 cases and vaccinations, sensitization videos, live web-casting of press conferences, and bytes of experts, doctors and healthcare personnel have been disseminated through social media. With the beginning of the vaccination drive, social media campaign #We4Vaccine” has also been launched.
v. To counter misinformation related to COVID-19, a dedicated Fact Check Unit was constituted on 2nd April 2020 in Press Information Bureau (PIB).
vi. A dedicated campaign “Jan Andolan against COVID-19” was launched by the Ministry, on 8th October 2020, to promote COVID-19 appropriate behavior. This campaign was undertaken in coordination with other ministries/Departments as well as State Governments.
vii. Similar strategy was also adopted in the various regions for dissemination of information in vernacular languages.
(b) and (c) Separate expenditure details specific to COVID-19 activities is not maintained.
(d) The COVID Jan Andolan Campaign was undertaken on a participative and collaborative effort in coordination with the various Ministries/ Departments of the Central Government and State Governments.
(e) The dedicated campaign “Jan Andolan Against COVID-19” involved various Ministries/Departments of the Government of India as well as State Governments. The campaign utilized grass-root level functionaries of the various Ministries/Departments on various occasions as under:
i. Wall painting and posters in Panchayat Bhavans
ii. Outdoor publicity at fertilizer and seed shops, APMCs, mandis, etc.
iii. Dissemination of messages through Youth Clubs, NYK and NSS volunteers
iv. Communication using SHGs and training centres
v. Messages by school teachers, Principals and Head Masters
vi. Interpersonal Communication through ASHAs, ANMs
vii. COVID-19 messages on Ambulances, CAT Vans, hospitals, etc.
viii. Posters, announcements on railway stations
ix. Messages on flight tickets, boarding passes, etc.
x. Posters and announcements on airports
xi. Embedded messages on all Government websites
*****
Download PDF Files
