The BJP government in Chhattisgarh, where schools still force children to study under the open sky and where many areas continue to lack basic infrastructure such as roads, spent nearly Rs 1,095 crore on publicity in just over two years. 

It is an average of nearly Rs 1.3 crore every day, just a little behind the Rs 1.5 crore spent every day on advertisements by the Narendra Modi government.

Details of the expenditure emerged in a written reply to a question raised in the state assembly by Congress MLA Savitri Manoj Mandavi, who sought information on the government’s spending on the publicity of various schemes between January 1, 2024, and March 31, 2026.

According to the government’s reply, it spent Rs 1,095.20 crore on publicity over the 27-month period.

The largest chunk, Rs 414.01 crore, was spent on field publicity – consisting of ground outreach efforts such as film shows, folk dances, seminars, etc. Another Rs 344.04 crore went to electronic media, Rs 198.26 crore to print media, Rs 19.17 crore to publications, Rs 5.78 crore to social media, Rs 5.58 crore to digital media, Rs 22 crore to publicity under the tribal sub-plan, and Rs 3.5 crore on publicity for special occasions, taking the total to Rs 1,095.20 crore.

Newslaundry had earlier reported that the Chhattisgarh government spent Rs 18.57 crore on television advertisements in just three months – from October to December 2024. Information obtained under the Right to Information Act showed this amounted to an average daily expenditure of Rs 20.41 lakh.

The latest figures have once again drawn attention to the state’s spending priorities. In Bilaspur district’s Ghutku village, under the Takhatpur assembly constituency, children at a government primary school continue to attend classes in the open because the school building is in a dilapidated condition. Villagers say the school was built years ago in the middle of agricultural fields and still lacks a proper road or even an accessible pathway.

Similarly, in Maruki village of Sukma district, Adivasi residents say the road connecting the village has remained incomplete for years. Potholes and damaged stretches leave the village nearly cut off during the monsoon.

Against this backdrop of persistent gaps in basic public infrastructure, the government’s expenditure of more than Rs 1,095 crore on publicity is likely to raise fresh questions about its priorities.

The BJP had stormed back to power in the state in 2023. Vishnu Deo Sai is the Chief Minister.

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