Rs.6.31 crore to Amitabh for DD Kisan promotion unwise: Congress

New Delhi, July 17
The Congress on Friday said the decision of national broadcaster Prasar Bharti to pay Rs.6.31 crore to Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan for endorsement and promotion of recently launched DD Kisan channel was not an act of wisdom.

Congress leader Salman Khurshid said farmers were facing distress and the money should be spent on them.

"It is an issue concerning farmers. We are aware of their condition. However big an artiste, giving more than Rs.6 crore for a message and not spending on farmers... I do not think it is wisdom," he said.

"It is a matter of perception that (a) voice, (a) face will make it successful. It will be better to spend the money on farmers and not publicity," Khurshid said.

The public-funded Doordarshan's Kisan channel was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May.