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APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 18/06/2025

For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, practicing Daily Answer Writing is vital. This blog covers the most important Main question and its model Answer from the Assam Tribune today (18-06-2025).

📝 Mains Question:

Q. “The misuse of taxpayer-funded government advertisements erodes both governance ethics and electoral fairness.” Discuss the recent Supreme Court directive in this context and suggest a framework to ensure transparency in public communication.

📘 Model Answer

Introduction

Publicly funded advertisements are intended to inform citizens about welfare schemes, rights, and public services. However, when these are misused to promote political leaders or parties, they violate principles of political neutrality, fiscal accountability, and ethical governance. Recognising this, the Supreme Court recently reiterated its 2015 guidelines to curb such misuse, mandating strict oversight by regulatory committees in states.

Why Misuse of Government Advertisements is a Problem

Concern	Impact
Violation of Public Trust	Turns welfare schemes into instruments of personal or party glorification
Electoral Unfairness	Creates undue advantage for ruling parties, distorting the level playing field
Waste of Public Money	Crores spent on image-building rather than critical outreach or service delivery
Undermines Democratic Values	Promotes a personality cult over institutional accountability
Transparency Deficit	Limited public access to ad budgets, approvals, and content audits

Supreme Court’s Intervention (Common Cause v. Union of India, 2015)

Prohibited use of leader images (except PM, CM, President, CJI)
Mandated formation of a Content Regulation Committee (CRGA) in each state
Emphasised non-partisan, factual communication
Recently reaffirmed in 2025 due to violations in multiple states (including NE region)

Ethical Dimensions (GS Paper 4 Overlap)

Integrity & Accountability: Use of state funds must be purpose-driven and justifiable
Political Neutrality: Administrators must resist pressure to use resources for party propaganda
Probity in Public Life: Leaders must avoid self-promotion using taxpayer money
Transparency: Citizens have a right to know how their money is being spent

Way Forward: Framework for Ethical and Transparent Public Communication

Area	Recommendation
Institutional Oversight	Strengthen and empower CRGAs with real-time veto powers
Audit Mechanisms	Annual CAG/State AG reports on ad expenditure across departments
Digital Dashboard	Public portal for accessing government ads, budgets, and approvals
Legal Backing	Amendments in Rules of Business to define ad ethics and penalties
Public Awareness	Educate citizens that schemes are their rights, not gifts from leaders

Case Example: Assam Context

Reports of excessive promotional hoardings for state schemes in past election cycles
Civil society in Assam has previously petitioned for ad transparency
Opportunity for Assam to become a model by enforcing SC norms strictly

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s directive is a necessary judicial push to restore the ethical compass of public governance. Government communication must be informational, not ornamental. When political neutrality and fiscal accountability are upheld, democracy is strengthened, and public trust is earned.

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