Rajkot: A top Gujarati daily Divya Bhaskar today published an article claiming that the district collector of Rajkot released cheques to 8 journalists for publicity of State level Republic day function with her signature. The newspaper report claimed that its own journalist however refused to take this cheque as it was in contradiction to newspaper’s policy. The story was soon picked by several Gujarati news channels claiming that this was a bribe given to journalists and it falls in the criteria of ‘paid news’.

District Collector Remya Mohan, within hours of publication of this report addressed a press conference.

Rejecting the allegations she said, ‘the city of Rajkot was to host 26th January Republic day state level function this year. Fund for this celebration was generated from donors through cheque as the celebration was planned through public partnership. The fund received is not government grant. In order to make sure that celebration takes place well, a bank account was opened and cross cheque was received. This is Chartered Accountant audited fund.’

‘Secondly, this issue is interpreted in wrong manner. When media was to publish something, we gave money through cross cheques to 8 and each cheque was for payment of Rs. 50,000 sum. This is not corruption. It is a payment for advertisement and paid through cross cheque. Most of those who received the payment have given bills also.’

The Collector showed a receipt received from Aaj Kal newspaper.

The Collector in reply to separate questions asked by media persons said, ‘cheque has been issued directly from account. There’s no possibility of even Re. 1 corruption. We had given matter to publish as per their format, we had told that our limit was Rs. 50,000. Media is also our partner. There’s no cash transaction and there’s absolutely no possibility of even Re. 1 corruption. We had asked that we will release cheques in the name of newspaper, however they insisted that cheque should be released in their(reporter’s) name. This payment is 100% bonafide for good publicity so that people come and enjoy the events. There’s nothing malafied. There’s noting on file. Donor had given fund for purposes including for publicity purpose for 24-25-26 January events.’

She said, ‘8 cheques were released to Akila, AAjkal, Sanj Samachar, Jay Hind, Azad Sandesh, Divya Bhaskar, Ab Tak and Gujarat Mirror. Cheques to Gujarat Mirror, Azad Sadesh, Ab Tak, Divya Bhaskar and Akila were released in the names of their authorized persons, while Aaj Kal and Sanj Samachar were given cheque in the name of their organization.’

She said, the donor who gave fund for purposes including publicity was Viral Developers.

When asked whether this should be called a payment for ‘paid news’, the collector in her reply said paid news is for election, while here in this case we had given a matter to press for media to carry in their own format.

DeshGujarat