Maharashtra Govt To Spend Nearly Rs 6 Cr For Ajit Pawar's Social Media Handling, BJP & AAP Launch Attack

The external agency hired will be responsible for ensuring that the common citizens are made aware of the decisions taken by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has allotted nearly Rs 6 crore for the handling of social media accounts of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. An external agency will be brought in to handle the social media accounts of the NCP leader.

The order issued on Wednesday elaborates on the appointment of an external agency along with the allotment of a budget of Rs 5.98 crores.

According to the order issued by RN Musale, under-secretary at the General Administration Department for the year 2021-22, the agency will be responsible for ensuring that the common citizens are made aware of the decisions taken by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Criticising this decision BJP MLA Ram Kadam wrote on Twitter: “Maharashtra Government is going to spend Rs 6 cr for social media accounts of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. What is their priority? Those who claimed to not have money for vaccinations will now spend crores for their own praises".

Aam Aadmi Party's Mumbai unit has also tweeted against it by writing: "Maharashtra reeling under an economic & health crisis, but cash-strapped  Maha Vikas Aghadi sarkar can still waste 6 Crores of public money for building Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's image!"

The order states that DGIPR does not have the professional and technical competence to handle social media, which is why an external agency is being given the responsibility. This justification comes even as the department has a staff of nearly 1,200 and is alloted an annual budget of Rs 150 crore.

Copy Of The Order

It revealed that the external agency will handle the Deputy CM’s Twitter, Facebook, blogger, YouTube, and Instagram accounts.

The agency will be chosen from among those who are already on the panel of DGIPR. “It will be the responsibility of the external agency to ensure that the key decisions and messages reach the people and that they are able to communicate with the DCM on his Twitter handle, Facebook, Blogger, YouTube, Instagram, SoundCloud, WhatsApp and telegram channel,” order stated.

It will be appointed in consultation with the deputy chief minister, secretariat, and directorate general of information and public relations.

The agency will have to ensure that there will be no duplication of messages generated from the CMO and DCM office. Previously, the CMO had appointed an external agency in July 2020 for handling its social media presence.