Manish Sisodia files RTI seeking info on PM Modi's pet projects

DNA ‎‎‎: New Delhi: Saturday, February 11, 2017.

Facing investigation into alleged irregularities in social media campaign of 'Talk to AK', the Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia filed an RTI application with Prime Minister Office's informational cell seeking information related to social media campaigns like 'Make in India' and 'Digital India'.

The Central Bureau of Investigation had registered a case against Sisodia and other government officers under the Prevention of Corruption Act in 'Talk to AK' social media campaign scam last month. The agency is trying to establish 11 violations and irregularities made during awarding the contract to a private company Perfect Relations.

When Sisodia filed RTI, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sitting in Bengaluru tweeted, "Manish awarded contracts like the PMO did for digital campaign. Modi ji, if you're getting Manish probed by the CBI, a CBI investigation should also be ordered into this issue." (sic)

Sisodia reached Rail Bhavan around 12 pm and filed the application on Friday. The Deputy Chief Minister said, "I want to know what process Centre govt follows in advertising its campaigns like 'Make in India', 'Narendra Modi App', 'Start Up India' and 'Digital India'. Whose credit limit has been used in putting up these advertisements? Because, when we connect with people it is dubbed corruption but when Modiji does Mann Ki Baat it's projected as patriotism."

Asked whether he was hopeful of getting any response, Sisodia claimed that "everyone is aware" why information on Modi's higher education degrees has not been shared yet.

Sisodia had earlier written to the Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra seeking details of the process of payments made for social media campaigns for various Centre-run schemes.

Through the RTI, he also sought information on action taken on his letter addressed to Misra and copies of file noting, correspondence and other documents relating to the handling of the letter dated January 27.

Interestingly, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ministers have started attacking Central Government, after they have returned from recently concluded Punjab and Goa Assembly elections.