BJP spends RS 44.42 cr in four months on advertisements ahead of Karnataka polls; reveals RTI
Bengaluru: Ahead of the Karnataka Assembly polls, the previous BJP government spent Rs.44.42 crore in four months between December 1, 2022 and March 29, 2023 on advertisements in the print and the electronic media, The Hindu reported.
The Department of Information and Public Relations revealed the information in response to a Right to Information Act (RTI) query filed by activist Rajesh Krishnaprasad from Puttur.
However, specific details on the names of media houses in which the government spent to place the advertisements were not provided by the department, reports Indian Express.
According to the information received, on print media, the government spent Rs.27.46 crore and on the electronic media, Rs.16.96 crore to promote their initiatives and counter campaigns by opposition parties such as the Bharat Jodo Yatra and Mekedatu March and others.
The BJP lost the elections securing 66 seats, while the Congress won 135.
Krishnaprasad told The Hindu that even though it is typical for any government to spend on such advertisements to raise awareness about its schemes, spending excessive money of taxpayers during elections just to woo voters is wrong.
The activist questioned the expenditure that went nearly Rs.50 crore by the previous government on specifically targeting the opposition party.
“The BJP has spent nearly Rs 50 crore and some of the ads were placed only to criticise the Opposition. How can the government exchequer spend money on this?,” he asked.
“I asked the breakdown of the expenses incurred on various media houses from the information officer, but it was not provided,” he said.
Speaking to The Indian Express, BS Shivanna, Karnataka Congress general secretary described it as a crime and alleged that public money was looted by the Bommai government.
“Generally, the government issues advertisements to publicise its schemes. But BJP used it as a tool politically to counter opposition campaigns. If you see, they gave negative advertisements to shield themselves. The public money has been looted by the previous BJP government,” he said.
On the other hand, Ganesh Karnik of the BJP defended saying the amount spent is not huge compared to Delhi government, who had spent more on government ads and with competitive ad pricing, such costs are common.
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Statewide ban on IV Ringer Lactate usage: Dinesh Gundu Rao
Bengaluru: In response to the deaths of postnatal women at Ballari District Hospital, the Karnataka government has temporarily suspended the use of IV Ringer Lactate solution across the state as a precautionary measure, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced on Saturday.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, the minister explained that doubts about the quality of the IV solution had arisen, prompting the decision. He clarified that Ringer Lactate, along with glucose solutions, has been routinely used in hospitals for years. However, out of the 192 batches supplied by the Karnataka State Drugs Logistics and Warehousing Society, concerns were raised regarding two specific batches.
"In light of these concerns, we stopped the use of all 192 batches as a precaution. Following this, the supplying company obtained a High Court order for testing, and the Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) conducted an analysis. The CDL report confirmed the usability of the solution, allowing the state to form a technical committee to review and permit the use of certain batches that met quality standards. Despite this, doubts have surfaced specifically at Ballari District Hospital," the minister stated.
To address these concerns, the batches supplied to Ballari Hospital have been sent for anaerobic testing to determine whether the IV solution contributed to the deaths. The test results are expected within a week, after which a final decision on the use of IV Ringer Lactate will be made.
"Until then, we have issued directives to hospitals statewide to suspend the use of IV Ringer Lactate. Every life is important to us, and precautionary measures are essential when suspicions arise," Gundu Rao emphasised.
