NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting secretary Bimal Julka has said that young officers training in central services need to be tech-savvy and to keep pace with the rapidly changing information and communication scenario.

The challenge is to respond swiftly and firmly in real-time basis, he added, noting that the electronic media was developing at a very fast pace.

“Reaching out to the masses at the grass-root and involving them in the development process is one of the biggest challenges before the Government”, he said while delivering his address at the valedictory function of induction training for the officer trainees of Indian Information Service (IIS) - 2013 and 2014 batch - at Indian Institute of Mass Communication.

Julka said that the role of information service officers was critical in meeting this challenge as it enabled the bridging of the gap between people and the government. He exhorted the officer trainees to develop specialised communication strategies and tools for the successful implementation of various flagship programmes of the government such as Prime Minister’s Jan-dhanYojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, Beti Bachao, and Shramev Jayate Karyakram.

Julka said his Ministry acts as a facilitator and enabler of government communication