IAS Anil Kumar is new IPRD director

Patna: 2017-batch IAS officer Anil Kumar on Monday assumed charge as the director of the Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD) at the Soochna Bhavan here. He was welcomed by the department’s special secretary Satyendra Kumar Singh, who presented him with a bouquet.After taking charge, Kumar interacted with officers and staff of the department, reviewed their work and inspected all branches. He said his priority would be to ensure that information about govt welfare schemes reaches every citizen, with special focus on people living in remote rural areas and villages.“Accurate and timely dissemination of information related to schemes on women’s empowerment, education, health, agriculture and poverty alleviation is essential so that no eligible beneficiary is deprived of benefits,” he said, adding that the department will use digital platforms, traditional media and grassroots-level campaigns to achieve this objective.The department’s additional secretary Rajiv Kumar Singh, joint secretary Vidhubhushan Chaudhary, joint director Ravi Bhushan Sahay, special officer Kumaril Satyanand and other departmental officers were present on the occasion. Kumar earlier served as the district magistrate of Araria.