Maharashtra empanels agencies to publicise schemes

The Maharashtra government's publicity wing, the directorate general of information and public relations (DGIPR), has empanelled advertising agencies to help publicise the state government’s schemes and policies.

According to a government resolution issued by the state government on October 12, the agencies would develop and upload on various social media platforms, creative content or adapt the already available creative.

“The content include, but are not limited to banners, videos, info graphics, graphics, cartoons, animation," the resolution stated.

The resolution added that the agencies would upload posts on social media platforms, post blogs and articles related to the government's campaign, curate topics on related hashtags on digital platforms.

Meanwhile, a clarification issued by the government stated that the government has not hired any private advertising firm for publicity of its policies and schemes.

“Maharashtra government has not hired any private advertising firm for publicity of its policies and schemes. It is a routine exercise of empanelment of agencies since last so many years,” an official statement said.

“No work has been allocated to any of the agencies till now and when DGIPR budget is not more than ~50 crore, its absurd how allegations are made for provision of ~300 crore. This entire procedure is no way related to social media. Such empanelment has happened during earlier regime too. This is age old practice to empanel various agencies for various type of works. According to the Supreme Court order it is mandatory to have one centralised system to release all the advertisements,” it said.

“After this order by the Supreme Court the Maharashtra government issued one resolution, making it mandatory to all its ministries, departments, divisions, corporations to issue advertisements only through DGIPR,” the statement said.