AP ACB has found in its primary report that ex-IPR commissioner Thumma Vijay Kumar Reddy who acted as the ex-officio secretary during Jagan’s term had indulged in giving ads and shelling out special tariffs to Sakshi newspaper and channel.
The report said Rs 371.12 crore was shelled out to Sakshi newspaper alone. It meant 43% of the total amount allocated for media ads.
Similarly, of the 26.71 crore amount given in ads, Rs 16.17 crore ads were given to Sakshi and allied channels.
The report also said that ABN Andhra Jyothi, TV5, Maha news were barely given ads while Andhra Jyothi was given no ad during 2019-2024.
It also alleged that various Sakshi employees were recruited into I&PR and Digital Corporation through inappropriate means.
A case has been filed against Vijay Kumar Reddy by AP ACB on September 14th, though it has come to light now. A few other names of undisclosed people have also been included in the FIR
The FIR was filed following a formal compliant by R Dillibabu Reddy, chief secretary of AP Media Federation.
It is said Vijay Kumar Reddy has given specific orders to his subordinates to that effect.
Meanwhile, it was found that no money was paid to Eenadu between 2021 and 2023. Worse still when TV5 approached court in 2022 for settlement of Rs 3.75 crore bills, it was ignored.
Out of Rs 859.29 crore spent on media, Rs 371.12 crore was given to Sakshi.
The ACB report also stated that other media were completely sidelined when it came to clearing bills. Eenadu received nil payment during the 5yr term.
Around 137 and 117 each were recruited into Digital Corporation and I&PR department through YSRCP MLas and other members’ recommendations. Similarly, Vijay Kumar Reddy exponentially increased the tariff shelled out for Sakshi.
When Sakshi asked for Rs 2626 crore, Reddy allotted Rs 2917 crore leading to a loss of Rs 19.63 crore.
Above all, the behavior of Vijay Kumar Reddy violated the Supreme Court ruling.
Also, the civil supplies department issued GO 431 on July 31, 1984, that the state government should not show any partiality to any particular while issuing ads in print media.
On the other hand, the Supreme Court’s rulings learly state that commercial ads must be in tune with the circulation numbers.
