New Delhi, Jul 27: The government spent Rs 408.46 crore on the publicity of its schemes through the Central Bureau of Communications in 2022-23, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

In a written reply, Thakur said the government spent Rs 1,179.17 crore on publicity in 2018-19, and Rs 708.18 crore in 2019-20 through different media vehicles.

The last Lok Sabha elections were held in 2019.

In 2020-21, the government's expenditure on publicity and awareness initiatives was Rs 409.47 crore, followed by Rs 315.98 crore in 2021-22, he said.

The expenditure on publicity in 2023-24 has been Rs 43.16 crore as on July 13, 2023, Thakur said. The total expenditure since 2018-19 on publicity amounts to Rs 3,100.42 crore.

The minister said an independent third-party agency conducted an all-India Survey/Impact Assessment Study of multimedia campaigns executed by the Central Bureau of Communications covering 722 districts.

The findings of the study have been very useful in planning effective communication strategies to ensure targeted information dissemination and last-mile connectivity, Thakur said.

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Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar shared heartfelt messages on X in celebration of the 69th Kannada Rajyotsava, highlighting the importance of Karnataka’s heritage, language, and culture.

CM Siddaramaiah emphasised that Kannada Rajyotsava is a day for committing to the preservation and growth of Karnataka’s identity, encompassing its people, language, culture, land, and water. He wished all Kannadigas a happy Kannada Rajyotsava, expressing the hope that love and care for Kannada would become a daily celebration. “Best wishes to all Kannadigas on Kannada Rajyotsava. ‘Sirigannadam Gelge, Sirigannadam Balge,’” he shared.

DCM DK Shivakumar celebrated digitally by taking a selfie with the ‘Kannada Filter’ on Instagram, encouraging others to join in. He nominated Speaker U.T. Khader to continue this digital campaign, marking it as a small step to spread Kannada’s glory worldwide. “May the lamp of Kannada shine forever, lighting the way for everyone,” he added.