https://sputniknews.in/20221220/delhi-lg-wants-governing-aap-to-pay-back-970mln-spent-on-political-ads-163023.html
Delhi LG Wants Governing AAP to Pay Back 970Mln Spent on Political Ads
Delhi LG Wants Governing AAP to Pay Back 970Mln Spent on Political Ads
Sputnik India
In 2017, the authorities ordered the AAP to pay part of the money spent on public ads to the Delhi treasury and another part directly to advertising agencies... 20.12.2022, Sputnik India
2022-12-20T18:49+0530
2022-12-20T18:49+0530
2022-12-20T18:49+0530
political affairs
delhi
aam aadmi party (aap)
bharatiya janata party (bjp)
india
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Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday ordered the city's chief secretary to recover INR 970 million ($11.7 million) from the Aam Aadmi Party, which the latter spent on the party's publicity, but declared as government advertisements.Media reports say the Arvind Kejriwal-led government violated several orders issued by the Supreme Court of India, the Delhi High Court, and the Committee on Content Regulation in Government Advertising (CCRGA).Out of a total 970 million rupees, more than 420 million (over $5 million) had already been released by the DIP, while more than 540 million ($6.5 million) for published ads were still pending disbursal, as per media reports.AAP Suspects 'Political Vendetta'In response to the news, the AAP claimed the lieutenant governor has no power to issue such orders, labeling it as a “new love letter” from the LG, and accusing the authorities of carrying out a “political vendetta”.AAP lawmaker Saurabh Bharadwaj openly questioned the legality of the orders and vowed that the money would be paid only after similar orders are issued for the BJP.It's worth noting that Delhi deputy state chief Manish Sisodia leveled similar allegations after his name was included in the liquor scam case, the probe into which was recommended by LG Saxena.
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delhi, aam aadmi party, delhi lieutenant governor , bharatiya janata party
delhi, aam aadmi party, delhi lieutenant governor , bharatiya janata party
Delhi LG Wants Governing AAP to Pay Back 970Mln Spent on Political Ads
In 2017, the authorities ordered the AAP to pay part of the money spent on public ads to the Delhi treasury and another part directly to advertising agencies and publications. It appears, however, that more than five years later, the party still has not paid a penny.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena on Tuesday ordered the city's chief secretary to recover INR 970 million ($11.7 million) from the Aam Aadmi Party, which the latter spent on the party's publicity, but declared as government advertisements.
Media reports say the Arvind Kejriwal-led government violated several orders issued by the Supreme Court of India, the Delhi High Court, and the Committee on Content Regulation in Government Advertising (CCRGA).
The primary issue dates back to 2017, when the Delhi government's Directorate of Information and Publicity (DIP) — acting on a 2016 directive from a committee set up by the federal government on court orders — stated that INR 970 million had been spent or booked for "non-conforming advertisements."
Out of a total 970 million rupees, more than 420 million (over $5 million) had already been released by the DIP, while more than 540 million ($6.5 million) for published ads were still pending disbursal, as per media reports.
AAP Suspects 'Political Vendetta'
In response to the news, the AAP claimed the lieutenant governor has no power to issue such orders, labeling it as a “new love letter” from the LG, and accusing the authorities of carrying out a “political vendetta”.
AAP lawmaker Saurabh Bharadwaj openly questioned the legality of the orders and vowed that the money would be paid only after similar orders are issued for the BJP.
“The BJP is flustered that we have become a national party and wrested power from it in the MCD. The LG is doing everything in accordance with the BJP's directions, and that is troubling the people of Delhi. The more worried Delhi's people are, the happier the BJP gets,” he lashed out.
It's worth noting that Delhi deputy state chief Manish Sisodia leveled similar allegations after his name was included in the
liquor scam case, the probe into which was recommended by LG Saxena.
