Berhampore, Murshidabad, September 9, 2026

 
Press Information Bureau (PIB), Kolkata, organised a media workshop 'Vartalap' in Berhampore, Murshidabad, today, aiming at strengthening engagement with grassroots level journalists and facilitating effective dissemination of information on government initiatives and development programmes. The programme focused on key issues including Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), child trafficking and other development initiatives of the Union Government.

Addressing the gathering, the Director General (Eastern Zone), PIB and CBC, Shri T. V. K. Reddy, emphasised the importance of PIB Vartalap in establishing a direct interface with journalists working at the grassroots level. He highlighted the role of journalists in ensuring that authentic and verified information reaches people, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Shri Reddy also spoke about the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 and the Press Sewa Portal, which facilitates smoother registration and processing for periodicals. He the urged journalists to make effective use of the PIB website as a reliable source of information for professional and development-oriented journalism.

The Minister for Mass Education Extension and Library Services and Backward Classes Welfare, Government of West Bengal, Shri Gouri Sankar Ghosh, stressed the importance of disseminating fact-based and authentic news. He highlighted the significance of major government initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Swachh Bharat Yojana, and emphasised the need for effective implementation of government schemes so that their benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.

Speaking on healthcare initiatives, the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Murshidabad, Dr. Sandip Sanyal, underlined the importance of effective information dissemination regarding government health initiatives. He explained the process of availing benefits under Ayushman Bharat and urged journalists to create awareness among beneficiaries regarding e-KYC and facilitate informed access to the scheme through responsible dissemination of information. He also highlighted the importance of the ABHA ID and digital health records, besides discussing maternal health programmes and initiatives for the eradication of tuberculosis. The session was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session.

The Lead District Manager, Punjab National Bank, Shri Fajal Mamud, elaborated on the significance of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in promoting financial inclusion. He projected the financial inclusion achievements in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal and the role of such initiatives in ensuring greater access to formal banking services, including for women and other sections of society. He also spoke about Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar, Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), followed by an interactive session with the participants.

The Assistant Director, CINI, Shri Jayanta Chowdhury, spoke about various government development initiatives, including Mission Vatsalya, Mission LiFE and Jal Jeevan Mission, and highlighted the importance of creating awareness about such programmes at the community level.

Addressing the issues of human trafficking, District Programme Coordinator, CINI, Ms. Rajneeta Mukherjee, sensitised the participating journalists about child and human trafficking, its implications and the appropriate action to be taken in cases of suspected trafficking. She emphasised the importance of timely reporting, awareness and coordinated intervention to protect vulnerable children and individuals.

The Assistant Director, PIB, Kolkata, Smt Srijata Saha Sahoo, highlighted the importance of PIB's role in disseminating authentic and verified information and explained how PIB news articles and other official information resources can support journalists in their reporting. She called for greater cooperation between PIB and the media fraternity for effective information dissemination and responsible journalism, emphasising the larger role of the media in serving society and the nation.

The PIB Vartalap provided an important platform for interaction between government officials, subject experts and grassroots journalists, enabling participants to understand various schemes and initiatives directly from the concerned authorities and seek clarification on issues relevant to their communities. The programme reaffirmed the importance of development communication, fact-based journalism and credible information dissemination in ensuring that Government initiatives reach their intended beneficiaries effectively.

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SSS/PK/Kol/9.9.26

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