Odisha CM Pushes Digital Outreach, Announces New Social Media Policy

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed Odisha Information Service (OIS) officers to strengthen digital communication and expand the government’s social media reach, acknowledging gaps in the state’s information outreach. He announced that a dedicated social media policy would be introduced soon.

During a review meeting of the Information and Public Relations Department on Friday, Majhi said information officers must go beyond issuing press releases and ensure government schemes and welfare benefits reach people promptly, especially at the grassroots level.

The Chief Minister revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had shared an assessment of his social media performance, highlighting shortcomings that he forwarded to senior state officials for corrective action.

Majhi urged officers to create engaging, constructive content, follow emerging digital trends and connect more effectively with younger audiences. He also encouraged the responsible use of AI tools, including ChatGPT, while warning against deepfakes and misleading online content.

Emphasising citizen engagement, he said social media should serve as a platform for public feedback and grievance awareness, not merely government announcements. He outlined the 3S formula—accurate, speedy and simple—as the guiding principle for effective public communication, with greater use of mobile-friendly digital platforms.