GUWAHATI: The Assam finance department will take resort to social media as an additional platform to inform and engage citizens on Assam Budget 2019.
A statement issued by the department said social media is an effective tool to gauge public mood, acquire feedback and also to engage citizens for the Budget which would be presented by state finance minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma on February 6.
“The use of this dynamic medium, in addition to other traditional means, has been inspired by PM Narendra Modi’s vision of Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas and also in keeping with our commitment to adhere to the principles of participatory governance,” the statement said.
“It is also one of the first of its kind experiment in the country and has been very effective,” it added.
The department has reached out to more than 1.6 Lakh people by posting 200 feeds on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram in 11 days with a combined followers base of over 3200.
“The budget app, ‘Assam Budget’ (launched a year back and available both on Android and iOS,) is also a unique initiative towards the ‘Digital India’,”
The department further plans to engage citizens using social media platforms. “Among others, one of the key objectives of our social media campaign outreach strategy has been to create a bonding with our vibrant pool of youngsters and many other tech-savvy people of Assam who are adept at communication using social media platforms,” the statement said.