The government recently announced that it would spend over 200 crore rupees on its image makeover over the next one year's time (yesterday's front page news in HT). While it makes all political sense and can be very much expected from our dear Congress party to indulge in such wasting of taxpayers money, What I do not understand is why is this issue not being centralized and made a big deal of. Essentially, why is this issue not being sensationalized by the media. When a 100 odd crore scam (the CWG scam) could gain several months worth of footage and headlines, then why is a clear misuse of public money being allowed to be made. It is extremely obvious that the ruling party plans to use this money for nothing other than blowing its own horn. Heck, there isnt even a need to read between the lines here as the government itself claims "The UPA policy managers believe that the government has been hit by negative perception in the minds of people because of social activist Anna Hazare's campaign against corruption and to rectify this, 200 crore would be spent towards the image building of UPA in this crucial election year". This allocation is four times the amount the government usually spends on public advertising. This, coming in a year when the revenues has decreased and the deficit increased is simply revolting! It is a sheer waste of public money.
What's worse is that the media too is not interested in the least in raising the issue, since they well know, that these funds shall eventually land in their own pockets through government advertisements, press appeasements and what not. They are the ultimate beneficiaries, and therefore, no media house in the country would dare raise their voice against this move. Heck, they would be rejoicing at the quadrupling of the budget and already readjusting their balance sheets.
Disgraceful. What's worse is that one can do nothing to stop this act from happening and only wait till the election day to express one's disgust!
