THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A new revelation found that the Kerala government splashed Rs 2.86 crore in total to set up a billboard of ‘Nava Kerala Sadas’ all across the state. The exact number was revealed in a response given by the government to an RTI query.
Rs 55 lakhs was the amount sanctioned by the government for the installation of billboards. The government is yet to pay Rs 2.31 crore due to private ad agencies. An amount of Rs 2 crore 46 lakh was earlier sanctioned for the installation of hoardings. 364 hoardings were installed across Kerala.
The government spent Rs 45 lakh to conduct the Nava Kerala Kalajadha. Rs 16.99 lakh was used for putting up posters of the event on the KSRTC bus while Rs 41.21 lakh was for Railway jingles. Rs 7.47 crores sanctioned for printing invitation letter. Rs 9.16 crore was spent on preparing posters, brochures and invitation letters. 25.40 lakh posters were printed for the event.
C-apt was entrusted with the task of printing posters. An invitation letter in the name of the Chief Minister was sent to 1,01,46,810 people. Starting from November 18, 2023, the bus with ministers and Chief Minister toured Kerala for the event, to interact with people in person. The luxury bus built at a cost of more than one crore rupees for the event is now servicing for public between Kozhikode and Bengaluru.