Union Ministry for Home Affairs (MHA) Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla has written to all States and the Union Territories to take effective measures against fake news in view of the coronavirus lockdown.
It has been communicated that the Government is creating a web-portal for people to verify facts and unverified news promptly, the statement said.
States/UTs have been requested to create a similar mechanism at their level for issues relating to them.
The directive came as a follow up of the Supreme Court taking serious note of the panic caused by the fake news leading to mass movement of migrant labourers, leading to untold suffering to these people.
The Apex Court has also made observations and directions to ensure provision of basic amenities such as food, medicines etc. in line with NDMA/MHA directives and other welfare activities in relief shelters for migrant labourers.
The States/UTs have been communicated to comply with the Directives/Advisories/Orders issued by Central Government in letter and spirit, for containment of spread of COVID-19 in the country, it said.
