Maharashtra govt fails to find PR agency for image makeover

The state government has not yet found a PR agency to spruce up its dented public image and has been forced to extend the tender deadline to October.

Facing allegations of corruption and inaction that have been much talked about in the social media, the Maharashtra government sought to engage the services of creative consultants and media management agencies, despite having a state-run Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR).

According to DGIPR officials, the notice seeking the services of PR agencies met with poor response, prompting the state government to extend the date of the tenders to October 10. The state is looking for an agency with a turnover of at least Rs10 crore in the last three years.

“We have received some responses, but we are not satisfied with them. We want agencies which can offer us better services. We want somebody to give us the best deal,” said a senior official in the DGIPR.

According to the tender notice, the agency will help prepare reports, comments on government’s advertisements, radio spots and jingles, manage information to media, improve publicity, and make full use of Internet and social media network to publicise government schemes, policies and programmes.

In the wake of election campaign scheduled next year, the Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra also plans to launch a media blitzkrieg to counter negative publicity. Each department has been asked to bring out their own advertisements, in addition to those that will be prepared by the PR agency that could be hired.

Government agencies such as Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) too are appointing their own image-consulting agencies. The MMRDA spent about Rs2.4 crore between 2008-2012 to stay clear of negative publicity.

Disappointing publicity
The state government has extended the deadline of the tenders to October 10. The state is looking for an agency with a turnover of at least Rs10 crore in the last three years

The PR agency will help prepare reports, comments on government’s advertisements, radio spots and jingles, manage information to media, improve publicity, and make full use of Internet and social media network to publicise government schemes, policies and programmes.