Rs7.25 crore spent on ads on birth anniversaries of Rajiv, Indira Gandhi

Government had spent Rs4.79 crore and Rs2.46 crore on print media advertisements on the occasion of birth anniversaries of former prime ministers Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi respectively.

These details were shared with the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting CM Jatua while replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

Stating that no campaign was released through electronic media on the occasion of Rajiv Gandhi's birth anniversary, Jatua said that "Rs4,79,73,656/- was spent on print media advertisements on the occasion of birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi in 2011."

The Health Ministry spent the highest amount of over Rs95 lakh. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy spent over Rs82 lakh followed by Tourism Ministry which spent over Rs79 lakh on the occasion.

Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation spent over Rs65 lakh, Information and Broadcasting over Rs58 lakh, while Social Justice ministry spent over Rs51 lakh for the occasion.

Women and Child Development Ministry (Rs25 lakh) and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Rs21 lakh), also spent funds on print media advertisements on the day, Jatua said in his reply.

On the occasion of birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry spent over Rs60 lakh while Social Justice Ministry spent over Rs56 lakh.

Micro, Small and Medium enterprises ministry spent Rs41 lakh, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region spent Rs25 lakh while ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation spent amount over Rs 22 lakh.

Water Resources and Women and Child Development ministries spent over Rs19 lakh each, Jatua informed the Rajya Sabha.