Maharashtra Government Orders Swift Response to ‘Misleading News’
Mumbai, 29th March 2025: The Maharashtra government on Friday issued directives to all its departments, mandating a swift response to “inaccurate or misleading news” concerning state affairs.
This decision follows a Government Resolution (GR) issued two weeks ago, which sanctioned the establishment of a media monitoring center with a budget of ₹10 crore. The center will track news coverage across various media platforms—print, electronic, social, and digital—analyzing reports and taking steps to counter “negative” or “misleading” narratives about the government.
The latest GR, issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) and signed by Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, highlights concerns over the frequent circulation of misinformation. It emphasizes the necessity of publishing factual clarifications within at least one day of such reports being published.
The guidelines further state, “If the government promptly addresses and acknowledges such matters, it can strengthen its public image. However, it has been observed that several state departments fail to respond swiftly to misleading or inaccurate reports regarding government operations in various media outlets.”
The resolution cites discussions from a meeting led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on January 15, 2025, as well as instructions from a Cabinet meeting on February 3, 2025, which contributed to the formulation of these detailed procedural guidelines.
Explaining the purpose behind the move, Principal Secretary of the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR), Brijesh Singh, stated, “The circular is intended to refine how the government addresses media reports related to public grievances and complaints. Our objective is to ensure prompt recognition and action, thereby improving public service efficiency in Maharashtra. The media serves as a crucial bridge for public feedback, and this initiative aims to establish a more structured and transparent communication channel between the government and the press, ensuring citizen concerns are effectively addressed.”
According to the GR, the DGIPR will gather and compile relevant news reports from print media, along with news clippings and links, and share them with the respective departments on the same day using a digital system.
