Kashmiri IIS Officer Tariq Rather Takes Charge as Media & Communications Chief in Union Social Justice Ministry
New Delhi, July 1, KNT: Senior Indian Information Service (IIS) officer Tariq Ahmed Rather has assumed charge as Director (Media & Communications) and Chief of Media & Communications in the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, marking a significant professional milestone for the officer from Jammu and Kashmir.
Rather, a Junior Administrative Grade (JAG) officer of the Indian Information Service, took charge at the Ministry’s headquarters in New Delhi, where he was welcomed by Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Sudhansh Pant, along with senior officers of the department.
During an introductory meeting, the Ministry emphasised the need for a comprehensive media strategy to enhance public awareness of the Centre’s welfare schemes, programmes and initiatives through print, electronic, traditional, social and digital media platforms.
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Rather joined the Ministry following his transfer by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Before assuming his new assignment, he served as Director (News) and Head of the Regional News Unit, Akashvani Srinagar, from November 2024 to June 2026.
During his tenure at Akashvani Srinagar, he introduced several reforms aimed at strengthening public service broadcasting, including the launch of an additional daily Urdu news bulletin and measures to improve professionalism, transparency, operational efficiency and newsroom functioning.
Over the years, Rather has served in several media organisations under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, including the Press Information Bureau, Central Bureau of Communication, Akashvani and Doordarshan, besides handling a number of important national and international media assignments. [KNT]
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