Parrikar alleges corruption in advertisement release

Panaji, Mar 5 (UNI) Former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today alleged that a senior officer has been demanding ''commissions'' on government advertisements released to various newspapers and publications in Goa.

Mr Parrikar made the allegation during Question Hour of the assembly after the five-day Budget Session commenced today. He, however, did not name the officer. Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane assured that the matter would be inquired.

Meanwhile, in his reply to Vijay Pai Khot (BJP), the Chief Minister said the government had not yet framed advertisement policy or guidelines for the release of promotional advertisements.

The details like regularity of the newspapers, their policy towards social change, view points mentioned in editorial and other comments published, credibility of the newspapers, and their circulation would be considered while releasing the advertisements.

The government will avoid issuing advertisements to newspapers which indulge in yellow journalism, character assassination, mudslinging and intimidation, Mr Rane said.

Normally, the rates offered by newspapers were considered for issuing promotional ads, but concessional rate/discount was being negotiated from newspapers before release of the ads.

To another question, Mr Rane said the government had spent Rs 435,782 on issuing advertisements to the visual media for the year 2006-07 so far. A major chunk of Rs 238,094 had gone to local cable channel ''Goa Plus'' followed by Rs 223,377 to ''Doordarshan'', Rs 134,688 to ''Goa-365'' and Rs 63,000 to ''IN Goa News''.

Mr Rane said no projects completed before the tenure of this government had been shown as the incumbent government's achievements through the visual media.

UNI