Ashok Gehlot government to dole out Rs 1 crore for an image makeover

Jaipur: The Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan is looking for a makeover and will dole out Rs 1 crore per month for two years to a national public relations agency for brand building.

The private agency has been hired a year after the Congress formed the government in the desert state to counter negative publicity in the public space and also to influence opinions by disseminating positive stories about the government. The firm's contract started from February 1, official sources confirmed, adding that the bidding process to hire the PR firm started in November last year. The agency has been hired for two years, with the state Bureau of Investment Promotion (BIP) acting as the nodal agency in the hiring process.

Though the state machinery has Public Relations Department officials at its disposal to showcase government achievements and actions, the Gehlot dispensation still decided to spend a huge amount of money on public relations despite the state's severe fund crisis, pointed out a senior Congress worker.

The PR agency will work to streamline interviews with the Chief Minister and his Ministers to disseminate all positive stories to give the state government a facelift. (IANS)

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