No photograph of PM in advts

Amitabh Shukla

New Delhi, August 11

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh does not want any publicity or photographs in numerous government advertisements published throughout the year in various publications.

In a letter written to the Principal Secretaries and Heads of Departments of Delhi government, Union Home Secretary Anil Baijal has communicated the wishes of the Prime Minister.

However, there is one exception. The letter says that the photographs of the PM could be inserted in case of events of national importance and national occasion. Obviously, he would figure in the advertisements issued for the Independence Day this Sunday and the Republic Day.

The letter that reached the Delhi government in end July was circulated to the government departments in the last few days. It says, "the PM has desired that his photograph should not be included in the advertisements issued by the ministries, departments and the Public Sector Undertakings". The letter asked the officials to follow the instructions.

After the Delhi government received the letter, the advertisements for the Rajiv Gandhi birth anniversary have been redrawn and the photographs of the Prime Minister withdrawn. (2004)