Bhubaneswar, Sep 18: The Odisha government has spent a total of Rs380.95 crore on advertisements over the last three financial years, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the State Assembly on Thursday. The disclosure came in response to a question raised by Congress MLA Sofia Firdous during the ongoing session.

Election Year Sees Spike in Ad Spending

According to CM Majhi, the previous BJD government spent Rs86.28 crore on advertisements in 2022–23. However, the expenditure surged to Rs186.60 crore in 2023–24, coinciding with the election year. For the current fiscal year 2024–25, the government has already spent Rs108.06 crore on promotional activities.

The figures reflect a significant rise in advertising budgets, especially during politically sensitive periods. While the government maintains that the spending is aimed at public awareness and outreach, opposition leaders have questioned the timing and scale of the expenditure.

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Transparency and Accountability in Focus

The revelation has sparked discussions around transparency and fiscal priorities. Critics argue that such high spending should be matched with measurable public benefit, while supporters claim that effective communication is essential for governance and citizen engagement.

The Chief Minister did not elaborate on the breakdown of the spending across media platforms or campaigns, but emphasized that all expenditures were made in accordance with government norms and budgetary provisions.

As Odisha prepares for upcoming developmental initiatives, the debate over advertisement spending is likely to remain a focal point in political discourse.

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