Fw: Misuse of Advertising Funds by Governments
Sandeep Pandey
Misuse of Advertising Funds by Governments
- Sulkhan Singh IPS (Retd.)
I often see that central and state governments publish large, full-page advertisements in newspapers to promote their achievements. Many state governments even publish advertisements in other states. Freebies, heartless hearts!
Government funds can only be spent on public welfare, not otherwise. Expenditure other than for public welfare is a crime punishable by imprisonment up to ten years and a fine under Section 316(5) of the Indian Penal Code, 2023.
Government funds must be spent only for public purposes, as Article 282 of the Constitution provides:
Article 282: Expenditure by the Union or a State from its revenues: - The Union or a State may make grants for any public purpose, notwithstanding that the purpose is not one for which Parliament or, as the case may be, the Legislature of the State can make laws.
Enhancement of the image of the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Minister, any other authority, or the government is not in the public interest. It may be in the interest of the party, but it does not serve the public interest. There is only one criterion for judging public interest:
"Is this information necessary for the public to benefit from government schemes or to gain essential knowledge of any law?"
If it is not, then it is not a public purpose. The Prime Minister inaugurating a scheme, this information is not in the public interest. Yes, this information is in the interest of the Prime Minister's party.
And importantly, including photos of leaders even in important information is not in the public interest; it is in the interest of their party. Therefore, their party should bear the cost of this.
Another wrong practice has begun here. On one hand, the government is eliminating jobs, and on the other hand, it misuses billions of rupees of public money to distribute appointment letters to those who qualify for the few jobs. Just a few days ago, the Uttar Pradesh government called 60,000 police officers to Lucknow and distributed appointment letters at government expense. Assuming ₹2,000 per candidate, the total cost comes to ₹12 crore. According to the established procedure, appointment letters were sent by post. Postal mail is the most effective and inexpensive method. Modifying it for government publicity is a misuse of funds.
It is the responsibility of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to ensure that governments and public institutions do not misuse public funds. Unfortunately, the CAG has also failed in its duty. The Auditor General also has the duty to ensure that any public welfare work is completed with the utmost economy and minimum expenditure. The Auditor General's rules call this a "performance audit." But everyone is indifferent. The Auditor General enjoys protection equivalent to that of a Supreme Court judge. So, what prevents him from performing his duties impartially and fearlessly? I wrote this so that it would be a document and useful when the time comes! Then don't say you didn't know!!
Courtesy of the Facebook wall of Sulkhan Singh IPS (Retd.)
--
National President,
All India Peoples Front