The District Administration, Rajouri has announced Media Fellowships for “Development Administration” to be awarded to working journalists of the district associated with both print and electronic media.

According to District Development Commissioner Rajouri, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, the Fellowships includes 3 in Rural Development & Agriculture, 2 in Social Welfare, 1 in Health, 2 in Education & Tourism and 2 in Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation. The selected fellows will be assigned specific areas to study and report on the best practices, achievements, shortfalls, gaps and come out with recommendations for improvement in service delivery.

As per the scheme the applicants for being eligible for fellowship must possess the basic qualification notified separately for each category, furnish the proof of association with or working for empanelled newspapers of Hindi, English, Urdu or Digital News portals and wire services, and Satellite TV channels. The journalists working with print media will have to submit at least 10 by-line stories filed in the year preceding the date of notification, 5 years of working experience in journalism, and currently active in field reporting. An NoC from employer will also be required. Similar number of stories in case of electronic/digital media are also a prerequisite.

The fellowship will include an award of Rs 20,000 each, a citation and reimbursement of expenses incurred on field tours and documentation etc as permissible. They will have to work in the specific sectors and areas to evaluate outreach of welfare and developmental schemes, identify gaps and shortcoming, formulate recommendations for better public service delivery and to present the proceedings before the committee constituted for the purpose.

Notification for the fellowships will be issued on 15th July 2017 and last date for nomination will be 31st July. Shortlisted candidates will be called for interview and discussion on project proposals in 1st week of August 2017.

A committee headed by District Development Commissioner and comprising Assistant Commissioner Development, Chief Planning Officer, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Chief Education Officer, Chief Medical Officer, District Social Welfare Officer, CEO Rajouri Development Authority with District Information Officer as convener will conduct the selection, evaluation and coordination process.

Selected fellows will be handed over offer letter on eve of Independence Day and citation after completion of work on eve of Republic Day. District administration has encouraged the local working journalists to apply for the fellowship. Two fellowships shall be reserved for women which will be awarded to candidates in male category in case of non-availability of suitable candidate.

Guest