Directorate of Communications cites 'earthquake' as reason for budget increase
The Directorate of Communications claimed that the budget increase was due to the earthquake. However, the figures show that expenditures reached record levels during the election period. In the response given to a question from CHP's Cevdet Akay, it was stated that the Directorate of Communications made expenditures to assist citizens in the earthquake zone.
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The significant increase in the budget of the Directorate of Communications has been brought to the Parliament's agenda, and the source of the increase has become a subject of curiosity. CHP Karabük Deputy Cevdet Akay directed the question, "Why was there a remarkable increase in the Directorate of Communications budget during the election period?" to Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz via a parliamentary question.
In the response provided to Akay's question, reference was made to the February 6 earthquakes, stating that the Directorate of Communications reached the earthquake zone rapidly. The response stated that aid such as food, clothing, and tents was provided to earthquake victims, and support was also given to domestic and foreign members of the press. It was noted that mobile communication centers, mobile toilets, generators-fuel, and caravans for accommodation were sent to the region.
EXPLANATION CONTRADICTS THE FIGURES
However, a discrepancy emerges between the explanations regarding the expenditures made and the figures. According to the figures, expenditures during the earthquake process were lower than the expenditures made during the election period. Nearly double the expenditures made during the critical election period in May were carried out by the Presidential Directorate of Communications compared to April.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND MAY
The expenditures for the January-May period of 2023 are as follows: January: 44.3 million TL, February: 188.8 million TL, March: 130.9 million TL, April: 282.9 million TL, May: 521.4 million TL.
In May, when Turkey went to two separate elections, the presidential election held on May 14 and May 28 broke a record with an expenditure of 521 million 439 thousand TL.
While the Directorate of Communications explained the budget increase as "earthquake-related, not election-related," TGS Secretary General Banu Tuna claimed that the government constantly created obstacles during the earthquake.