Lok Sabha Question No. 2077 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-29
Subject: False Advertisement
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: S.SELVAKUMARA CHINNAYAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2077 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29/07/2016

## FALSE ADVERTISEMENT

## 2077.  SHRI S. SELVAKUMARA CHINNAYAN:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING [COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)]

(a) : Department of Consumer  Affairs has informed that as per available information  complaints  have  been  received  against  33  advertisements  of  M/s Patanjali Ayurved Limited during April 2015 - July 2016, appearing in various media such as TV, Print and Product packaging and in various sectors such as Food and Beverages, Personal care, Health care etc.

(b) & (c): Department of Consumer Affairs has informed that 17 advertisements out of  21  advertisements  complained  against,  were  considered  to  be  in  violation  of Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) Code  for Self Regulation of advertising content as per the findings of Consumers Complaints Council (CCC) of ASCI; whereas remaining four product packaging claims were not considered to be in violation of Advertising Standards  Council  of India (ASCI)  Code  for Self Regulation of advertising content.

Six product packaging communications (out of eight complained against) were considered to be in violation of Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) Code for Self Regulation of advertising content.

Two  TV  advertisements  out  of  four  were  considered  to  be  in  violations  of Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) Code  for Self Regulation of advertising content.

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  fact  that  Patanjali  Ayruved  Ltd.  is releasing false advertisements and making unsubstantiated allegations against its rival FMCG companies, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  also  aware  of  the  fact  that  the  Consumers Complaints Council has found that these advertisements and allegations were misleading and unsubstantiated;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has constituted any committee to look into the false allegations made by Patanjali Ayurved; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

(d)  &  (e):  The  Department  of  Consumer  Affairs  has  informed  that  they  have launched  a  portal  called  'Grievance  Against  Misleading  Advertisements'  (GAMA) and  the  Advertising  Standards  Council  of  India  has  been  assigned  the  task  of handling  the  complaints  received  through  this  portal.    The  cases  where  the advertisers  do  not  comply  with  the  directions  of  Advertising  Standards  Council  of India, are referred to the Ministry/Department or the Regulator concerned for taking appropriate action.

Further, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has informed that  they have noted the complaints regarding misleading claims made by various Food Business Operators (FBOs) including Patanjali Ayurved Ltd.

FSSAI  has  recently  signed  a  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  with Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) to undertake comprehensive monitoring  of advertisements appearing with respect of Food and Beverages (F&B) Sector in print  and  TV  media.  Action  against  any  FBO  for  any  misleading advertisement will depend upon substantiating the same by ASCI.

************