Pune: The Maharashtra state government has sanctioned an expenditure of ₹23.78 crore for sending text messages (SMS) to inform citizens about decisions taken during weekly cabinet meetings.
The initiative, aimed at enhancing public awareness of government decisions, has come under scrutiny, with some critics labeling it as a scheme designed to benefit preferred contractors.
The General Administration Department (GAD) issued a resolution confirming the approval of this expenditure. The government intends to use SMS services to broadcast important decisions and public welfare initiatives to citizens.
The Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) presented the proposal, which has now been authorized by the government. According to the resolution, recognized agencies listed by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) will be chosen through an e-tendering process to carry out this work.
The implementation will follow the necessary financial rules, government regulations, and instructions from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
Despite the government's intention to increase transparency and communication, the move has faced criticism from some quarters. Vijay Kumbhar, an RTI activist and State Vice President of the Aam Aadmi Party, questioned the expenditure, accusing the government of using the initiative to favor certain contractors.
Kumbhar remarked, "The government seems to be promoting a 'beloved contractor scheme,' where various strategies are devised to benefit a select few contractors. There is little regard for rules, guidelines, or reason."
He also highlighted the significant weekly cost, estimating that approximately ₹40-50 lakh will be spent each week for SMS communications based on the government's 52 annual cabinet meetings.
The initiative has sparked a debate on whether such expenditure is justified, given the broader public interest in the transparency and dissemination of government decisions. As the government moves forward with this plan, questions about the efficiency and necessity of this communication strategy are expected to persist.
