Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has asked government officials to maximize use of the social media platforms to disseminate information. Addressing a workshop on Effective Use of Facebook for Government Communication in New Delhi today, Mr Rathore said, Social media as a communication platform has emerged as a cost effective and powerful tool in the Government which is focused on maximum Governance. He said, deliberations and debates in the countries across the world are shaped by the responses and reactions on social media. <br/><br/>Mr Rathore said, in the current media scenario dominated by instant communication and multimedia platforms citizen engagement and two way communication are the critical inputs for the Government communication approach. The Minister said, the challenge before the Government is to reorient and recalibrate its approach and strategy in communicating with the citizens with the right content and knowledge to empower them. He said, it is important in view of the rising demand for quality and precise information. <br/><br/>Citing the example of the communication approach undertaken for the budget, Mr Rathore said, there was a need to communicate with the citizens in a timely, personalized, creative and interesting way. <br/><br/>Speaking on the occasion, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Ajay Mittal said, it is important for the Government to learn to make communication interesting and engaging. He said, Facebook Live can play a critical role during disaster situations to reach out to people.<br/><br/>The Workshop was a joint endeavour of Press Information Bureau, New Media Cell and Facebook. Over 250 officers from various Ministries and Departments participated.