After flak over allocating Rs 6 crore for PR agency, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar cancels government order

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. File Pic

After the BJP hit out at Maharashtra government for its decision to allocate nearly Rs 6 crore for appointing a PR agency to handle the social media accounts of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the latter issued instructions on Thursday to cancel the government order in this regard.

The General Administration Department of the state government had issued an order on Wednesday for the appointment of an external agency to disseminate information to people through various social media platforms about the public-oriented decisions, initiatives, policies and also the announcements made by the deputy chief minister.

As per a report in The Times of India, the order for appointing an external agency and allotting it a budget of Rs 5.98 crores was issued by RN Musale, under-secretary at the General Administration Department for the year 2021-22.

"It will be the responsibility of the external agency to ensure that key decisions and messages reach the people and that they are able to communicate with the DCM on his Twitter handle, Facebook, Blogger, YouTube, Instagram, sound cloud, WhatsApp and Telegram channel," Musale stated in his order.

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Criticising the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar sought cancellation of this decision meant for the "public relations exercise of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Ajit Pawar".

"There are news reports that crores of rupees will be spent on their public relations exercise. Such expenditure should be cancelled and there should be a thorough probe into the matter," Bhatkhalkar said a video message.

The BJP leader took a dig at NCP chief Sharad Pawar without naming him.

"After his medical treatment, the uncle of deputy chief minister has written a letter to chief minister, expressing his concerns over the restaurants and bar operators, instead of taking the side of farmers. The state government cites fund crunch when it comes to paying to doctors and nurses, but has money to hire a PR agency. It is a highly shameless behaviour," he added.

Hitting back at the BJP over the issue, state minister Nawab Malik said those who are pointing finger towards the alleged Rs 6 crore expenses, should pay attention towards the amount spent on public relations activities of the chief minister and ministers in the previous government.

He was referring to former Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and the ministers in his council.

"It is required to disseminate information to the people while working in the government. Those who are pointing finger (towards the said Rs 6 crore expense) should pay attention towards how much money was spent on the chief minister and every minister in the previous government.

"The opposition should understand that the amount (of Rs 6 crore) is not more than what is spent by the Centre on public relation activities," Malik added.

Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar's office issued a statement over the issue.

"There is absolutely no need to appoint an external agency for handling social media of the deputy chief minister's office. The government decision in this regard should be cancelled immediately," Pawar said in the statement.

He also said that there is no question of appointing a separate agency to handle social media of his office when the government's Directorate General of Information and Public Relations can carry out that work.

( with inputs from mid-day online correspondent)