The amount spent on the one-day 'message to the nation', addressed by prime minister Narendra Modi has cost Rs8.30 crore, revealed information accessed under the RTI Act. The application was filed by activist Anil Galgali with the information and broadcasting ministry.
Galgali said the 'Mann ki Baat' programme in which the prime minister addressed the nation through various mediums.
The activist added that the deputy director-of advertising and visual publicity, Nitesh Zha, gave a reply that was not satisfactory, and hence, he filed an appeal with the director, Ravi Rama Krishna, after which correct information with accurate figures was made available.
In all, in 14 stages of 4,094 advertisements published or shown, Rs 8.29 crore was spent. When probed further as to who the makers of these advertisements are, it was revealed that it was the advertising and visual publicity department.
"On what basis the PM addresses the public, as and when need arises, through efficient officers, the decision is taken on three parameters — occasion, importance of the day, and requirement. These parameters are decided by the efficient manpower working on this subject day in day out," said Krishna.
Addressing the nation is solely the responsibility of Centre's advertising and visual publicity department, and we are doing it with utmost perfection, he added.
Galgali, however, alleged that in newspapers the rates for advertising for the government (Directorate of Advertising & Visual Publicity) are low as compared to the rates kept for the common man, and yet the amount spent on the address is so high, with the benefits for the public being zero.
