Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala state government is facing a mounting financial crisis that has now hit the media industry hard. Outstanding dues for government advertisements published in newspapers and aired on television channels have accumulated to a staggering ₹100 crore, with little hope of immediate clearance as the current fiscal year draws to a close.
The Debt Breakdown: TV vs. Print
According to data from the Information and Public Relations Department (PRD), the total liability is split between visual and print media, with newspapers bearing the brunt of the delay.
- Television Channels: The government owes approximately ₹20 crore to various news and entertainment channels. Despite periodic fund releases over the last five years, a significant portion remains unpaid.
- Newspapers: The situation is even more dire for the print sector, with total arrears reaching ₹80 crore.
Fund Allocation Trends (Last 5 Years)
The following table illustrates the funds allocated by the PRD to settle dues over recent years:
| Fiscal Year | TV Channels (₹ Crores) | Newspapers (₹ Crores) |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 18.40 | 11.70 |
| 2022-23 | 5.23 | 10.00 |
| 2023-24 | 4.33 | 12.00 |
| 2024-25 | 4.33 | 13.75 |
| 2025-26 | 13.00 | 57.25 |
Fiscal Gridlock and Political Fallout
While the PRD has repeatedly requested the Finance Department to release funds to clear 100 Crore arrears, the state’s ongoing economic crunch has stalled any progress.
The timing of this debt accumulation has sparked a political debate. With the current financial year ending and the burden likely to be carried over, the responsibility for settling these bills—many of which featured large-scale promotional campaigns for the Chief Minister—will fall on the succeeding administration.
Critics and opposition leaders have already begun pointing out that the next government will be forced to foot the bill for the current administration’s extensive self-promotion and branding exercises.
