Imphal, November 01: The 56th Information and Public Relations Day, 2005 of the State Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) was observed today at the Babupara office of the Directorate.

Chongtham Noyon Singh, who works in the News Section of the Department and L Ashok Kumar, a senior journalist in the Publication and Editing Section were felicitated with Best Employee Award, 2004 during the function.

Editor of Matamgee Yakairol, Brozendra Nin-gomba was presented the Manipur State Journalist Award, 2004.The Hornbill Journalists Syndication has congratulated Brozendra on being conferred the award.

Three retired employees of the Department were also honoured with mementos at the occasion.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Information Minister Gaikhangam attended the function as chief guest and president respectively.

Commissioner of IPR IS Laishram, Secretary (Tourism) C Kipgen and senior officer of DIPR RK Dinesh also occupied the dais during the function.

Speaking at the function, the Chief Minister stressed on the role of Information Department in a democratic State.

He said for smooth and efficient administrative works in a democracy, it is of paramount importance to develop and strengthen the Information Department so that the people could be always kept informed of the developmental works being taken up.

Toward this end, Ibobi said, his Government is making effort to upgrade the DIPR as a major department.

An amount of Rs 1 crore has also been earmarked in the budget to overcome the infrastructural requirements of the Department, including construction of a new office building, the Chief Minister informed.

The Chief Minister also asked the Information Minister for setting up a grievance cell to provide a platform where people could lodge complaints and address their grievances during his speech.

Referring to the long standing demand for providing medical facilities to the journalist community of the State, Ibobi said the matter is being considered and all out efforts would be made to implement the same soon.

The Chief Minister further asked the Information Minister for taking up necessary measures for extending other benefits to the journalists as well.

An exhibition highlighting the activities of the news, publications, photo and video sections of the Department was also organized to mark the occasion besides releasing a special issue of the fortnightly journal of the Department.

The Information and Public Relations Day was also observed in other district headquarters.

At Chandel, the function was held at the office complex of the District Information Office with SDO G Budhachandra Sharma as chief guest and secretary of Anal Customary Law, Chandel T H Lukhu as president.

During the function held at Thoubal DC office complex, former president of All Manipur Working Journalist Union Dinamani Haobam presented a paper on observing the relevance of Information Day.

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