The number of newspapers to which advertisements were issued by the Bureau of Outreach and Communication (BOC) ranged from 3,500 to 5,800 during the past five years. The amount of advertisement given by the Central government ranged between ₹190 crore to ₹625 crore during the period, according to the Information & Broadcasting Ministry.
In a written reply to the question of Lok Sabha Member Naba Hira Kumar Sarania, I&B Minister Anurag Thakur said the BOC undertakes Information, Education and Communication campaigns through various media platforms for dissemination of information about various policies, schemes, programmes and initiatives of the government.
“Advertisements are released to empanelled newspapers in accordance with the Print Media Advertisement Policy, 2020. At present, 7,256 publications including periodicals are empanelled with BOC,” he said.
The Minister said the amount of advertisement given to newspapers by the Central government varied across years, having regard to the various priorities, requirements and other aspects of government advertisement and ranged between ₹190 crore and ₹625 crore during the past five years.
“As on March 24, 2022, 120 newspapers belonging to North Eastern States are empanelled with BOC,” said Mr. Thakur, adding that the BOC released advertisements to the publications from amongst those empanelled, keeping in view the campaign requirement, available budget, target readership and area and preferences indicated by client departments and as per Print Media Advertisement Policy, 2020.
