‘No expenditure incurred on filming PM's fitness challenge', PMO replies to RTI query

In a blow to efforts being made to turn the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘fitness challenge’ video into a controversy, an official response to an RTI on Monday read that not a single penny was spent for making the video. In a reply to an RTI application that was filed to inquire about the amount spent on the video, the Prime Minister’s Office said that the video was filmed at the Prime Minister’s Residence by a PMO cameraman. 

‘No expenditure has been incurred on (the) filming of the video posted by Shri Narendra Modi. The video was filmed at the Prime Minister’s Residence. The videography was done by the PMO cameraman. Nothing has been procured for the video', the statement read.

Read: Here's What Sonam Kapoor Said About PM Modi's Fitness Challenge Video

Here's the copy of the response to the RTI:

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepted the fitness challenge thrown at him by Team India skipper Virat Kohli. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi posted a video of his morning exercise and wrote:

“Here are moments from my morning exercises. Apart from Yoga, I walk on a track inspired by the Panchtatvas or 5 elements of nature - Prithvi, Jal, Agni, Vayu, Aakash. This is extremely refreshing and rejuvenating. I also practice breathing exercises. #HumFitTohIndiaFit.”

Read: Dissecting The Prime Minister's Fitness Challenge Video: Here's Everything He Does And Where He Does It

The #FitnessChallenge, which had gone viral on social media was an initiative propagated by Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the Minister of State with Independent Charge of the Information and Broadcasting, and Youth Affairs and Sports ministries. Following Col Rathore publishing his own video where he demonstrates how he has added a fitness regimen to his daily work-day. He put forth the challenge for others and people from all walks of life, including politicians, members of the Bollywood and film and entertainment industry, took up the challenge under the slogan 'hum fit toh India fit'.