Times unit's plan slammed, event deal seen as quid pro quo

 

Central Information Commissioner and columnist Dr Madabhushanam Sridhar said that any tie-up between the Times Group, whose TV channel had criticised the N. Chandrababu Naidu government, and the AP government would amount to a “quid pro quo” case.

 

Reacting to the report in these columns, “Times Group wants to ‘manage’ event for AP, Mr Sridhar, a former journalist himself, said that it would be highly unethical on the part of the AP government and unprofessional of the Times Group if they entered into a pact.

 

The Deccan Chronicle had reported that the AP government was working towards handing over a Rs 70 crore event management contract to a company allegedly belonging to the  Times Group under a Swiss Challenge method, which allows for contracts based on unsolicited proposals from private firms, was arousing a lot of curiosity and criticism. A government spokesperson has since said the proposal was for Rs 65 crore.

 

“This is nothing but a quid pro quo deal. But unfortunately, unethical practices by corporate groups are not covered under the Prevention of Corruption Act,” Mr Sridhar said. “I demand that the activities of corporate groups must also be brought under this Act so that such blatant misuse of public money to the tune of Rs 70 crore is stopped. (The) Government and media groups should not have this kind of nexus at the cost of public money,” he said.

 

Press Council of India senior member Kosuri Amarnath said, “The Andhra Pradesh government’s  proposed contract with the Times Group company in the name of ‘event’ management for a whopping Rs 70 crore is only meant to manage the biggest print and electronic media group for   favourable publicity for the Chandrababu Naidu government.

 

Mr Amarnath said, “It is certainly a case of paid news and a ‘private treatise’ perfected by the Times Group. It is subversion and misuse of the Right of Freedom of Expression. The Press Council of India has already requested the government to clearly define paid news so that action could be taken against such unscrupulous elements who are mortgaging the news space to fill their coffers. I feel the Press Council and all lovers of freedom of the press should protest against such unethical and undemocratic practices.”

 

Senior TRS MP B. Vinod Kumar said the AP government was not a corporate house to retain event managers to conduct business conclaves spending huge amounts. “It is not a healthy trend by a government that was elected by the people. The government is accountable to the people and their money,” Mr Vinod Kumar said.

 

“Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu is known for such management skills ever since he became Chief Minister in 1995. He wants only publicity. It was evident even in the Godavari Pushkaralu where he arranged for a TV crew to shoot his movements at Rajahmundry. He always uses public money to get publicity for himself and market himself. Even the Times Group coming forward to conduct the event is nothing but using their clout with the government to get some business. This is not a healthy trend,” he said.  

 

Reacting to the report, APCC president N. Raghuveera Reddy said, “Time and again, it is proved that Mr Naidu will go to any extent to spend public money for his personal publicity and elevation.” “He was voted to power by the people to judiciously spend public money, but from day one he is misusing public money. How can Rs 70 crore be spent to just manage an event,” he asked.