Badal govt scouts for pvt PR firm to promote state

The Punjab government is contemplating to hire the services of private Public Relations (PR) agencies in order to promote the state.

It is expected that the hiring of PR agencies in the state would not only help the state government to project its various achievements in a big way, but also help in bringing better transparency between the masses and the government.

This was told by Tourism and Cultural Affairs Public Relations Secretary Jagjit Puri to Business Standard.

He said, "At present, the things are at a preliminary stage. We still have to see certain aspects and formulate guidelines." He said the appointment of private PR agencies would help in cost saving and infuse the much needed professionalism in the government PR department.

"Also, the government is working on the modalities to give accrediation to Public relations company," he said, adding that Punjab would be the first state to do so.

For the purpose, the government is contemplating to have public-private partnership in the state's public relation department. This would ensure effective dissemination of information.

The state government has a vast public relations department with a statewide network, manned by hundreds of employees.

But, often it has been seen that the department has to travel with the officials concerned to disseminate information to media, which increases the expenditure. But the appointment of private player is likley to bring down the cost.

The idea behind hiring the services of PR agencies is primarily to improve the publicity of government schemes, and sell the state to the prospective investors as the best destination in India.

Earlier, in June 2006, the Haryana government has hired the services of Delhi-based Concept Communication.

The Haryana Government has awarded the contract to Concept for a monthly retainership of Rs 4.50 lakh plus service tax. However, the proposed venture could work only for 8 months, as Concept failed to get desired results, according an official in the Haryana PR department.

Also, for not fulfilling the promises, the state government has slapped a fine on the PR company.

Apart from Punjab, even the department of tourism, desires to appoint a qualified and reputed public relations firm for implementing promotional plan to promote Chandigarh as a major tourist destination at the domestic and international level.

Upon hiring private PR agency, sources said the press needs "sophisticated handling", which cannot be provided by the mandarins of the state PR department.