Sakshi Taking Lion Share of Government’s Advertisement Budget

An RTI application has revealed that the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy Government in the first twenty months of its tenure has spent 263.76 Crore for advertisements in Newspapers. Out of which 104.74 Crore worth advertisements have gone only to Sakshi.

Eenadu, the largest circulated newspaper in Andhra Pradesh has got 89 Crore. Prajashakthi 6.96 Crore, Andhra Prabha 4.27 Crore, Vishalandhra 1.53 Crore, and Vartha 3.27 Crore. Namaste Telangana also got 38 Lakhs worth of advertisements.

Andhrajyothy, the third-largest circulated Newspaper has got advertisements worth just 25 Lakhs because it has taken an anti-Government stand.

Government advertisements worth Rs 15 crore were issued to The Hindu in English newspapers. The Deccan Chronicle received Rs 12 crore, the Times of India Rs 7 crore, the New Indian Express Rs 10 crore, Hans India Rs 3.5 crore, Pioneer Rs 2.33 crore, and the Indian Express Rs 1 crore.

Sakshi TV channel also received a large number of advertisements for TV channels. Since coming to power till January 12 this year, Rs 9.89 crore has been spent on government campaigning on the channels. Of this, Jagan’s own channel got Rs 2 crore. The Government spent 47.8 Crore for hoardings publicity and out of which, 21.51 Crore went to the companies of YSR Congress leaders.