On February 12, 2021, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, was asked the total expenditure incurred on Government’s ‘Myth-busting on Farm Laws’ publicity campaign in the country and overseas between September 2020 and January 2021 by Rajya Sabha members Syed Nasir Hussain and Rajmani Patel.
In his written response, the Agriculture Minister apprised the Parliament that nearly Rs 8 crores have been spent on campaigns, advertisements, promotional and educational videos.
In his answer, Tomar stated, “As per the information received from Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Bureau of Outreach and Communication (BOC) has committed Rs. 7,25,57,246/- for release of advertisement on issues related to Farm Laws’ publicity campaign, in the country between September 2020 and January 2021 on behalf of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare”.
For clarifications related to the three farm laws including “myth and realities” for creating awareness among the farmers and other stakeholders, the Centre said that print advertisements have been published through BOC in Hindi, English and regional language newspapers.
His written statement added, “Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare has incurred an amount of Rs.67,99,750/- on production of three promotional and two educational films on Farm laws for its wider publicity through electronic media, social media and webinars, among the farmers and other stakeholders”.
In addition to this, the Agriculture Minister said that miscellaneous expenditure accounted for approximately Rs. 1.5 lakh for the purpose of “development of creatives for print advertisement”.
However, the expenditure is ‘Nil’ on Government’s ‘Myth Busting’ on farm laws publicity campaign overseas. The Union Government also apprised the Rajya Sabha that as part of regular diplomatic work, India’s missions abroad shared the government’s stand and useful information on the laws in their outreach to the diaspora.
“The related Departments of Government of India have also created awareness through social media platforms on Farm Laws”, read Narendra Singh Tomar’s response.
The answer may be read here:
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