By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Mohan Majhi’s government (BJP, in power since June 2024) has spent significantly more on advertisements/publicity in its first ~2 years than Naveen Patnaik’s government did in its initial years (starting March 2000).
Mohan Majhi Era (First ~2 Years, ~June 2024–mid-2026)
The Odisha government (under Majhi) spent Rs 83.84–108+ crore on ads in roughly the first 18 months to 2 years post-takeover.
One report notes Rs 83.84 crore spent after coming to power (through newspapers, TV, radio, web, hoardings, etc.), with heavy print media focus (e.g., ~Rs 69.78 crore on newspapers in one 18-month period).
Broader 3-year data (including pre-Majhi transition): Rs 380.95 crore total (2022–25), with Rs 108.06 crore in 2024–25 alone. Majhi’s period shows sustained high spending.
This has drawn criticism as a “PR blitz” for promoting schemes and achievements.
Naveen Patnaik Era (First 2 Years, ~2000–2002)
No precise public figures for ad spend in 2000–02 are readily available in recent reports, but context makes it clear spending was far lower.
Odisha’s overall state budget was tiny then (~Rs 3,000–5,000+ crore annually in the early 2000s, during a severe financial crisis). Programme budgets were minimal (e.g., Rs 3,538 crore in 2000–01).
Later BJD-era ad spends were higher (e.g., Rs 452.96 crore over 5 years in one later period; Rs 33 crore in early 2023–mid-2024), but early years were constrained by fiscal limits.
Patnaik’s early governance focused on crisis recovery, transparency, and basic reforms rather than large-scale publicity campaigns
Majhi’s spending (tens of crores in 1–2 years) dwarfs what was feasible/plausible under Patnaik’s early tenure due to the state’s much smaller economy/budget at the time. Inflation and media landscape changes (more TV/digital/print options today) also factor in, but the absolute and relative jump is notable.
Ad spending often rises with new governments to highlight schemes (common across parties). Majhi’s govt has faced opposition criticism for high publicity costs, while Patnaik’s long rule later involved more spending too.
Data comes mainly from assembly replies and media reports; exact apples-to-apples “first 2 years” for Patnaik is sparse due to the era’s limited digitization/transparency.
Mohan Majhi’s advertisement campaign in the first 2 years is more expensive in absolute terms than Naveen Patnaik’s in his initial years.
