Information and Tourism Department Policy Note - 2004-2005 Demand No. 27 Information and Publicity CONTENT Introduction 1. Press Release Section 2. Memorials 3. Government Functions - Multimedia Publicity Campaigns 4. Tamil Nadu Government Film Awards 5. Cinema, Video and Cable Television Networks 6. Tamil Nadu Films Division 7. Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu 8. Exhibitions 9. Tamil Arasu 10. Advertisements 11. Reference Section 12. District Information and Public Relations Offices 13. Information Centres 14. Plan schemes implemented in 2003-2004 under Part-II schemes 15. General INTRODUCTION Democracy is the best form of Government created by the human society. Democracy is not only related to Government and the administration, it has also become a way of life providing strong foundation for the people’s prosperity. Democracy is a form of Government which aims at the socio economic growth of the society as a whole. The Information and Public Relations Department is an important department in a democratic set up. This department plays a vital role in disseminating information on various government schemes through print and visual media to create awareness among the public. As a result the benefits of all schemes fully reach all sections of the people. This department strives hard to create the bridge of goodwill between the people and the Government, by interacting with the public and also propagating the schemes and programmes of the Government. This department also organises functions to honour freedom fighters, Tamil scholars and leaders who had served for the welfare of society. Under the able leadership and guidance of Hon’ble Chief Minister, the Department of Information and Public Relations has been strengthened with added infrastructural and modern technological facilities. CHAPTER-1 PRESS RELEASE SECTION The Press Release Section in the Secretariat plays a vital role in sustaining media relationship by disseminating information about the Government Welfare Schemes and development activities. Press Releases and Press statements from the offices of Hon’ble Chief Minister, Hon’ble Ministers and various departments of the Government on Government’s achievements, welfare schemes, plans and programmes are sent daily to about 100 Press and Media organizations, All India Radio, Doordarshan Kendra and News Agencies through fax, e-mail and in person. Press Meets are also arranged for the Hon’ble Chief Minister and Hon’ble Ministers by this section. Important announcements, decisions and press releases are being sent to the Information and Public Relations Offices in the districts for immediate publicity in the local press. Important programmes, functions, meetings of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Hon’ble Ministers and Secretaries to Government are covered by photographers and sent to dailies and journals. This section also facilitates the television crew and the photographers of dailies to cover important appointments and programmes. A computer with accessories, a heavy duty photocopier and A/c facility have been provided for Press Release Section at a total cost of Rs.4.10 lakhs. PRESS ACCREDITATION ‘Press Accreditation Cards’ are being issued to eligible media personnel representing dailies, private television channels, All India Radio, Doordarshan, Tamil Nadu Films Division and officials of Information and Public Relations Department. 577 persons have been issued with Press Accreditation Cards in Tamil Nadu for the year 2004 as recommended by the Press Accreditation Committee. These Accreditation Card holders are eligible for free bus passes, 50% railway travel concession and preference in availing Government housing facilities. PRESS PASS TO REPORTERS OF PERIODICALS 255 Reporters and Photographers of periodicals in Chennai have been issued ‘Press Passes’ to enable them cover Government functions, VIP visits and Press Conferences of Hon’ble Chief Minister and other Ministers. JOURNALISTS’ FAMILY BENEFIT FUND Grants from Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund are sanctioned to the family members of Editors, Sub- Editors and Reporters of the Press who served for 20 years and had died in harness. Hon’ble Chief Minister has increased the benefit accruing from Journalists’ Family Benefit Fund substantially from Rs.50,000/- to Rs. 2 lakhs with effect from 4.9.2001. So far, 22 persons have been granted Journalists’ Family Benefit Fund. JOURNALISTs’ PENSION Journalists’ Pension scheme is being implemented for the benefit of retired journalists in indigent circumstances. When the scheme was introduced in 1986, the pension amount was a paltry Rs.250/- per month. This was being increased, step by step. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has enhanced the pension amount from Rs.2,000/- to Rs.3,000/- during the Budget 2001- 2002. 67 retired journalists are receiving pension as on date. JOURNALISTS’ FAMILY PENSION Journalists’ Family Pension provides succour to the family members of the deceased journalist pensioner. Rs.500/- was given as family pension at the time of introduction of the scheme. Hon’ble Chief Minister has enhanced this amount from Rs.500/- to Rs.1,500/- with effect from 4.9.2001. Presently, 12 persons are receiving journalists’ family pension. TNHB FLATS/HOUSES UNDER EASY INSTALMENT SCHEME FOR JOURNALISTS A comprehensive easy instalment loan scheme for the working journalists to purchase flats/houses from Tamil Nadu Housing Board has been announced and the scheme is tied up with the State Bank of India for sanction of loan. PHOTO SECTION Photo coverage of important Government functions, programmes participated by Hon’ble Chief Minister, Hon’ble Ministers and other VIPs are attended to by the Photo Section. The photographs taken on digital cameras are immediately released to the Press through e-mail. Two new digital cameras were purchased during 2002-2003, for use in this section. CHAPTER-2 MEMORIALS Statues and Memorials have been installed by the Government of Tamil Nadu to honour the leaders who toiled for the Nation’s freedom and served for the welfare of the society. 38 Memorials, 2 Arangams, 4 Commemoration Pillars and 1 Memorial Park have been established so far. These Memorials are under the control of the Information and Public Relations Department and maintained by the Public Works Department. The details are : 1. Perarignar Anna Memorial and Perarignar Anna Museum, Marina Beach, Kamarajar Salai, Chennai. 2. Bharat Ratna Dr. M.G.R. Memorial, Marina Beach, Kamarajar Salai, Chennai. 3. Valluvar Kottam, Valluvar Kottam Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai. 4. Kalaivanar Arangam, Wallaja Salai, Chennai 5. Rajaji Hall, Omanthoorar Government Estate, Anna Salai, Chennai. 6. Gandhi Mandapam, Sardar Vallabhai Patel Salai, Guindy, Chennai. 7. Rajaji Memorial, Sardar Vallabhai Patel Salai, Guindy, Chennai. 8. Kamarajar Memorial, Sardar Vallabhai Patel Salai, Guindy, Chennai. 9. Mozhippor Thiyagigal Manimandapam, Sardar Vallabhai Patel Salai, Guindy, Chennai. 10. Thiyagigal Manimandapam, Sardar Vallabhai Patel Salai, Guindy, Chennai. 11. Periyavar M. Bhakthavatchalam Memorial, Sardar Vallabhai Patel Salai, Guindy, Chennai. 12. Kamarajar Ninaivu Illam, Thirumalai Salai, Thiyagaraya Nagar, Chennai. 13. Mahakavi Bharathiyar Ninaivu Illam, Thulasingam Perumal Koil Street, Triplicane, Chennai. 14. ‘Quit India’ Movement Golden Jubilee Commemoration Pillar, Gandhi Mandapam Campus, Sardar Vallabhai Patel Salai, Guindy, Chennai. 15. Golden Jubilee of India’s Independence Commemoration Pillar (Near War Memorial), Kamarajar Salai, Chennai. 16. Golden Jubilee of India’s Republic Commemoration Pillar (Near Gandhi Statue), Kamarajar Salai, Chennai. 17. Perarignar Anna Ninaivu Illam, Chinna Kancheepuram, Kancheepuram District. 18. Muthumandapam – Vikrama Singha Raja Memorial (the last Tamil King of Sri Lanka), Paalaatrangarai, Vellore, Vellore District. 19. Anna Kalaiarangam, Officers Lane, Vellore, Vellore District. 20. Commemoration Pillar of Sepoy Mutiny, Makkan junction, Vellore, Vellore District. 21. Rajaji Illam, Thorappalli Village, Dharmapuri District. 22. Periyar-Anna Memorial, Periyar Street, Erode, Erode District. 23. Thiruppur Kumaran Memorial, Thiruppur Kumaran Salai, Thiruppur, Coimbatore District. 24. ‘Rationalist Poet’ Udumalai Narayanakavi Manimandapam, Udumalaippettai, Coimbatore District. 25. Va. Ve. Subramaniyam Memorial, Varahaneri Agraharam, Trichirappalli, Trichirappalli District 26. Thillaiyadi Valliyammai Memorial, Thillaiyadi Village, Nagapattinam District. 27. Namakkal Kavignar Ramalingam Ninaivu Illam, Kavignar Ramalingam Street, Namakkal, Namakkal District. 28. Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram Manimandapam, Muthupettai Road, Nadiammalpuram, Pattukottai, Thanjavur District. 29. Kaviyarasar Kannadasan Manimandapam, Near New Bus Stand, Karaikkudi, Sivagangai District. 30. Thavathiru Kundrakkudi Adigalar Manimandapam, South Car Street, Kundrakkudi, Sivagangai District. 31. Maruthupandiyar Memorial, Swedish Mission Hospital Complex, Thiruppathur, Sivagangai District. 32. ‘Thiyagi’ Viswanathadas Ninaivu Manimandapam, Viswanathadas Street, Thirumangalam, Madurai District. 33. ‘Thiyaga Seelar’ Kakkan Manimandapam, Thumbaippatti Village, Melur Taluk, Madurai Disitrict. 34. Poolithevan Ninaivu Maaligai, Nerkattumseval Village, Sivagiri Taluk, Thirunelveli District. 35. Kamarajar Illam, Sulochana Street, Virudhunagar, Virudhunagar District. 36. Bharathi Manimandapam, Thoothukudi Salai, Ettayapuram, Thoothukudi District. 37. Bharathi Illam, Bharathi Street, Ettayapuram, Thoothukudi District. 38. V.O.C. Illam, V.O.C.