Nagpur: A reply to a query under Right To Information (RTI) Act has revealed that the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) Government spent around Rs 333 crore of taxpayers’ money for advertisements in newspapers, electronic media and hoardings etc during its two and half year term, according to a report in local English daily.
Replying to an RTI query filed by Nagpur-based activist Abhay Kolarkar, the State Public Relations Directorate revealed that the amount was spent between 2019-20 and 2021-22. Besides this, the government had spent over Rs 18.55 crore for spreading awareness about Covid and vaccination drive in 2020-2021. The reply showed the government spent the highest – Rs 39.99 crore — on Food and Drugs Administration Department, while Rs31.95 crore was spent on advertisements for housing development.
Gold Rate
3 May 2025
The RTI reply further said that the Revenue and Forest Departments spent Rs 26 crore on advertisements in various media outlets. An amount of Rs 19 crore each was spent by the Planning Department, Maharashtra State OBC and Development Corporation and by the Water Supply and Sanitation Department, the report added.
The primary objective of the government advertising is to create awareness about government policies and schemes among the intended beneficiaries including the population living in far-flung and remote areas.
Commenting on this, the MLC and City BJP President Pravin Datke wondered why the previous government spent such a big amount on advertisements. One can understand money spent on health awareness programmes like vaccination drives, AIDS awareness etc. But spending such a big amount by the Housing Department hints at a scam, he said, stating he will raise the issue with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and seek inquiry.
Farm activist Vijay Jawandhiya claimed such a huge amount was spent to cover-up the government’s failure. If farmers stop committing suicide and daily wages of farm labourers increase, only then one can term the ruling government a success, he asserted.
Secretary of Vidarbha Taxpayers’ Association (VTA) Tejinder Singh Renu said that spending Rs 350 crore on advertisements doesn’t amount to productive expenditure. Instead, the taxpayers’ money can be used to create good infrastructure as we majorly lack in the medical and education sector, he said.
