Lok Sabha Question No. 2601 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-01
Subject: Misleading Advertisements
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA, CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2601

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2017

## MISLEADING ADVERTISEMENTS

## 2601.  SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY: SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that many companies are giving misleading advertisements about their products and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is true that Indian Advertisement Standards Council of India (ASCI) has pointed out  many  such  deceiving  advertisements  given  by  major  companies,  if  so,  the  details thereof and the measures being taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether  the  Government  plans  to  make  stringent  provisions  in  the  current  consumer protection  laws  to  tackle  misleading  advertisements  of  food  products  as  well  as  to  fix liability on endorsers/ celebrities;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  included  the  word  'Endorsement'  in  the  body  of  the Consumer Protection Bill, 2015 as recommended by the standing committee and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has also clarified the definitions relating to misleading, false and objectionable advertisements under the provision 2 (41) (f) of the above Bill and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Government intends to bring some punitive measures to be incorporated in the advertising code to cater to consumer interests and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h ¼Jh lh- vkj- pkS/kjh½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

(a)  &  (b)  :  The  Department  of  Consumer  Affairs  has  launched  a  portal  'Grievance  against Misleading  Advertisement  (GAMA)'  where  a  consumer  can  lodge  a    complaint  against  a misleading advertisement. From March, 2015 till date 4438 complaints have been received through this portal. The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) processes the complaints received through this portal as per ASCI Code, based on an MoU signed between the Department and the ASCI. If a complaint is upheld,  ASCI takes up the complaint with the company/agency  concerned either for withdrawal or modification of the advertisement. In case of non-compliance of its orders, ASCI forwards the complaints to the regulators concerned for taking appropriate action.

(c ) to (f)  : The  Parliamentary  Standing  Committee  on  Food,  Consumer  Affairs  and  Public Distribution,  which  examined  the    Consumer  Protection  Bill,  2015,  already  introduced  in Parliament, has recommended for stringent provisions to tackle misleading advertisement, as well as  to  fix  liability  on  endorsers/celebrities.    The  recommendations  of  the  Parliamentary  Standing Committee are under consideration of the Government.

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