Chinmay Dehury
Bhubaneswar, Aug 29: The Odisha government's advertising expenditures have come under intense scrutiny following revelations about the substantial amount spent by the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) administration.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also holds the Information and Public Relations portfolio, told the Odisha Assembly on Thursday that Rs 452.96 crore had been spent from the state exchequer on advertisements over the last five years.
In a detailed written reply to a query by BJP MLA Laxaman Bag, Majhi provided a breakdown of the expenditures, revealing that Rs 15,26,91,933 was spent between January 2023 and May 2024 on advertisements and advertorials prominently featuring former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and V K Pandian, the former 5T Chairman and a close aide of Patnaik.
This disclosure has led to renewed debates on government spending priorities and the use of public funds for image-building activities.
Focus on prominent figures and govt initiatives
According to Majhi, during the period in question, the Information and Public Relations Department actively engaged with certain newspapers to publish advertorials on various government programmes. These advertorials frequently featured photographs of Naveen Patnaik and Pandian, highlighting their roles in different events and initiatives. The department spent Rs 33,71,49,106 on advertisements in various newspapers, underscoring the BJD government’s emphasis on publicizing its schemes and achievements.
Critics argue that such heavy expenditure on advertisements raises questions about the state's financial management, especially in a state like Odisha, which still grapples with various socio-economic challenges. The decision to use state funds to promote individual political figures and bureaucrats has been particularly contentious. Several opposition leaders have voiced concerns, accusing the previous government of using public resources to maintain personal political image rather than prioritizing developmental needs.
Controversy over helicopter usage
Adding to the scrutiny, the Odisha government is currently investigating the extensive use of helicopters by a former bureaucrat, V K Pandian, during the previous administration. Although former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had defended these helicopter visits, stating that they were necessary for the swift implementation of government schemes, many district collectors later expressed ignorance about the purpose of these visits in their responses to Right to Information (RTI) requests.
The investigation into Pandian's helicopter usage has only fueled the ongoing political debate.
Critics argue that the trips were more about projecting an image of efficiency and accessibility rather than genuine governance needs. The revelations about the advertisement spending have added another layer to the controversy, with opposition leaders demanding more transparency and accountability regarding the use of public funds.
BJD’s defense and public perception
While the BJD has defended its advertising expenditures as necessary to inform the public about various welfare schemes and initiatives, the timing and focus of these adverts have drawn criticism. Defenders of the expenditures argue that effective communication of government programmes is crucial in ensuring public participation and awareness. They claim that the advertisements helped raise awareness about significant welfare initiatives, such as health schemes, disaster management efforts, and infrastructure projects.
However, the opposition parties, led by the BJP and Congress, have argued that the advertising blitz was primarily aimed at bolstering the personal image of the former Chief Minister and his close aide. They suggest that the BJD used state funds to maintain its political dominance rather than address pressing issues such as unemployment, rural distress, and healthcare deficiencies.
