The Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s office spends nearly ₹54 lakh per month to manage and maintain his social media accounts, according to details revealed in an RTI response. The information was disclosed following an RTI inquiry filed by activist Marlinga Gowda Mali Patil, who sought to understand the expenditure related to the Chief Minister’s social media presence. This inquiry was particularly timely given concerns about development work allegedly being stalled due to financial constraints.
Expenditure Details
The Karnataka State Marketing Communication and Advertising Limited (MCA) revealed that between October 25 of the previous year and March 2024, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) spent approximately ₹3 crore on social media management. This amounts to around ₹53.9 lakh per month, including an 18% GST. The payments are made to a company named Policy Front, which handles Siddaramaiah’s social media accounts with a team of about 35 people.
Context and Comparison
The expenditure on social media management by Siddaramaiah’s office has been a topic of discussion, particularly in light of reports that development work had reportedly slowed due to alleged funding issues. However, CMO officials noted that this expenditure is significantly lower compared to the over ₹2 crore per month that previous Chief Ministers had spent on similar activities.
