In May 2020, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) investigated complaints against 251 advertisements, of which 23 were promptly withdrawn by advertisers. ASCI acted against 222 advertisements on a suo motu basis and its Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) upheld 209 cases.
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Of the complaints, other than those against the withdrawn advertisements, the CCC evaluated 228 advertisements. Complaints against 221 were upheld. Of these, 162 belonged to the healthcare sector, 47 to education, 1 to food and beverages, 1 to personal care and 10 to other category.
As the lockdown was enforced across India, several advertisers, especially in healthcare, made false claims about Covid-19 cures and preventions. The Ministry of AYUSH sought help from ASCI to alert it about such advertisements. In the months of April and May over 100 such cases were flagged to the regulator.
This period also happened to be the run-up to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, coming into force on July 20. The law marks a new era of consumer rights in India, providing for jail terms and steep fines for errant marketers. Welcoming it, ASCI is hoping to collaborate with the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) for effective co-regulation.
The CCPA, it has been announced, will be headquartered in New Delhi and its members have been named. We are delighted with how fast the government is moving on this matter and we welcome the newly-named CCPA members.
ASCI already has a successful MoU with the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA). It hopes to work closely with the CCPA on advertising codes and complaint redressal.
In 2015, ASCI and the DoCA tied up to launch the Grievance Against Misleading Advertisements (GAMA) initiative, a portal on which complaints against errant advertisements could be lodged. ASCI manages the back end, judging every complaint received as per its codes. When advertisers do not assure compliance, it is escalated to the regulatory authority. Since the launch of GAMA, ASCI has looked at over 15,500 complaints on the portal. This is a perfect example of co-regulation.
Rohit Gupta, Chairman of ASCI, said: “We believe in the effectiveness of co-regulation – essentially self-regulation acting in alignment with government laws and guidelines. The new law is a tremendous opportunity for the advertising industry and brands to raise their standards even higher and to put the consumer firmly at the centre of their efforts. It paves the way for advertising that is more informative and honest while introducing serious disincentives for violators.”
As an advertising self-regulator, ASCI has succeeded over the past 35 years to establish and maintain consumer trust in advertising, acting swiftly and effectively against misinformation. With the new law in place, ASCI is strengthening its monitoring mechanism by including digital media in it. Its National Advertising Monitoring Service already tracks potentially misleading ads nationally for suo motu action.
On the impact of Covid-19 on the advertising industry in general and ASCI in particular, Gupta said: “The past four months have been extremely challenging as we got familiar with virtual processes of monitoring advertisements and the functioning of the CCC. All teams are now well aligned to ensure smooth processing and timely action.”
Healthcare: - 162 advertisements complained against
Education: - 47 advertisements complained against
Personal Care: - 1 advertisement complained against
Food and Beverages: - 1 advertisements complained against
Others: - 10 advertisements complained against
Direct Complaints:
The advertisements given below were complained against by the general public or by industry members. Of the 29 advertisements complained against, 10 advertisements were promptly withdrawn by the advertiser on receiving communication from ASCI. For the remaining 19 advertisements, complaints against 12 advertisements were upheld by the CCC. Three belonged to Healthcare, one belonged to the Food and Beverages, and one belonged to personal care. While, seven advertisements belonged to the others category. Seven other advertisements were not considered to be objectionable or in contravention of the ASCI code.
Health Care
The following advertisements were considered to be, prima facie, in violation of The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) order dated April 1, 2020 prohibiting publicity and advertisement of AYUSH-related claims for COVID-19 treatment in print, TV and electronic media.
|
Advertiser / Brand |
Claim |
1 |
Multani Pharmaceuticals Ltd.: (Kuka Cough Syrup) |
|
2 |
Alchem Phytoceuticals (Alchem International Pvt. Ltd) : (PhytoRelief-CC) |
|
3 |
Prashanthi Ayurvedic Centre- Dr Giridhara Kaje |
|
Food and Beverages
Personal Care
Others
Others - Automobile
Suo Moto Surveillance Advertisements
The advertisements listed below were picked up through ASCI’s Suo Motu surveillance of Print and TV media through the National Advertisement Monitoring Services (NAMS) project. Out of 222 advertisements that were picked, in 13 cases the advertisers promptly confirmed that the advertisements were being withdrawn post receiving the ASCI communication. All other 209 advertisements examined by the CCC were found to be misleading. Of these 209 advertisements, 159 advertisements belonged to the Healthcare sector, 47 belonged to the Education sector and three were from the “Others” category.
Healthcare
The following advertisements were considered to be, prima facie, in violation of The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) order dated April 1, 2020, prohibiting publicity and advertisement of AYUSH-related claims for COVID-19 treatment in print, TV and electronic media. The advertisers were informed of these potential violations and contravention of Chapter III.4 of the ASCI code with a copy to the Ministry of AYUSH.
|
Advertiser (Brand/Product) |
Claim objected to |
1 |
Bramhand Ayurved (Ayurveda Detox) |
|
2 |
J.J.Life Care/ Add Veda Lifecare Pvt. Ltd : (No Fever) |
|
3 |
Dr Batra’s Positive Health Clinic Private Limited: (Dr Batra’s) |
|
4. |
Dr Grace Super Speciality Homeo Clinic & Research Centre-Dr.Grace Homeo clinic |
|
5. |
Asha Homeo Health Centre |
|
6. |
Karunadu Products India Pvt ltd (Kabasura Kudineer Powder) |
|
7. |
SatvaHomeopathy (Dr Krupesh Patel) |
|
8. |
Hope Ayurvedic Medicine Pvt. Ltd:(MediHope) |
|
9. |
International Marketing Corporation Pvt. Ltd (IMC): (Shri Tulsi, Shri Haldi, Herbal Gomutra via Mediveda) |
|
10. |
SD Homeopathy: (MediHope Herbal Treatment) |
|
11 |
Chandigarh Ayurved and Panchakarma Centre- Corona Virus Advance Prevention Kit |
|
12 |
Homeosquare Homeopathy |
|
13 |
International Homeo Research Pvt Ltd: (Arsenic Album 30) |
|
14 |
Songara All Ayurvedic Pvt Ltd: (Dr S K Rai) |
|
15 |
International Marketing Corporation Pvt. Ltd (IMC): (Shri Tulsi) |
|
16 |
Star Homeopathy |
|
17 |
Dr. Vijaykumar Mane / Modern Homeopathy Research & Treatment Center: (Immunobooster) |
|
18 |
Dr Ajay Yadav /Dr Ajays Homeopathy Clinic (Arsenicum Album 30) |
|
19 |
Kudos Ayurveda Health Centre (Kudos Laboratories) – Kudos: (Sada Bahaar Granules/Giloy & Tulsi Amrit) |
|
20 |
Allen Homoeopathy: (Arsenicum Album 30) |
|
21 |
Allen Homoeopathy: (A68 Immunity Drops/ Arsenicum Album 30 Dilution / Echinacea Immunity Capsules) |
|
22 |
International Marketing Corporation Pvt. Ltd: (IMC Corona Virus Protection Full Package) |
|
23 |
Bhrigu Sons Pharmaceuticals: (Arsenicum Alb. 30) |
|
24 |
Planet Ayurveda: (Curcumin Capsules) |
|
25 |
Planet Ayurveda: (Immune Booster) |
|
26 |
Planet Ayurveda (Tulsi) |
|
27 |
Planet Ayurveda: (Suvarna Basant Malti Ras) |
|
28 |
Chintamukt Ventures (P) Ltd (Nirogmaya No Corona Antiviral Preventive Drops) |
|
29 |
Chintamukt Ventures (P) Ltd: (Nirogmaya No Corona Antiviral Preventive Drops) |
|
30 |
Chintamukt Ventures (P) Ltd (Nirogmaya No Corona Antiviral Preventive Drops) |
|
31 |
Chintamukt Ventures (P) Ltd: (Nirogmaya No Corona Antiviral Preventive Drops) |
|
32 |
Dehlvi Remedies Pvt Ltd: (Dehlvi Naturals) |
|
33 |
Jeeyar Integrative Medical Science: (JIMS Ayurvedaalayam) |
|
34 |
Maharshi Badri Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd: (Kalmeghasav & Feverol’99) |
|
35 |
Maharshi Badri Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd: (Feverol’99) |
|
36 |
Sandhya Pharma & Research Unit : (Sandhya’s Immunoviral Product) |
|
37 |
Dr Arpit Chopra-Aarogya Super Specialty Modern Homoeopathic Clinic |
|
38 |
Dr. Vijaykumar Mane/ Modern Homeopathy Research & Treatment Centre |
|
39 |
St George's Homoeopathy- St George Arsenicum Album 30 |
|
40
|
Mithra Hospital/Mithra Yoga Centre - Homeopathic Preventive Medicine for Coronavirus |
|
41 |
Bhargava Phytolab Pvt Ltd: (Arsenicum Album 30) |
|
42 |
Dr Reckeweg Germany (Dr. Roshanlal Aggarwal & Sons Pvt. Ltd) - Arsenic Album 30 |
|
43 |
Sidha Ayurvedic Hospital & Panchakarma Center |
|
44 |
Cipzer: (Cipzer Blood Purifier Capsule) |
|
45 |
Minerva Medical Treatment Pvt Ltd: (Medical Dialogues) |
|
46 |
Jiva Ayurveda:((Immunity Boosting Kit) Healthcare Pack) |
|
47 |
Dr. Kunjan's Health Plus Homeopathic Clinic: (Arsenicum Album 30) |
|
48 |
Misti Vedik Life Ltd: (Himbliss Health Drink) |
|
49 |
Zealous Health Private Limited: (Querzin Antiviral Tablet) |
|
50 |
Isha Agro Developers / Herbal Hills Wholesale Club: (Immunohills Soft Capsule) |
|
51 |
Mahida and Sons : (Mahida’s Kalonji Oil) |
|
52 |
New Life Laboratories Pvt. Ltd (Newlife Homeopathy): (Arsenium Alb.30) |
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DMR Violation
The following advertisements were considered to be, prima facie, in violation of The Drugs & Magic Remedies Act and are being referred to the Ministry of AYUSH. The advertisers were informed of these potential violations and contravention of Chapter III.4 of the ASCI code with a copy to the Ministry of AYUSH.
|
Advertiser (Brand / Product) |
|
1 |
A R Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd./ Horsefire Tablets |
|
2 |
A R Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd./ Kamini Capsule |
|
3 |
A R Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd. / Horse Fire Oil |
|
4 |
A R Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd. / Shilajit |
|
5 |
A R Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd. /B Grow Powder |
|
6 |
Venkateswara Ayurveda Nilayam Ltd. / VK4 INSUACT |
|
7 |
Venkateswara Ayurveda Nilayam Ltd. / Aswagandhaadi Lehya |
|
8 |
Kangra Herb’s / Rhododendron Health Drink |
|
9 |
Kangra Herb’s/ Cardiokan Tablet |
|
10 |
Kangra Herb’s / Brestokan Capsule |
|
11 |
Kangra Herb’s / Immunokan Spl 30 cap |
|
12 |
Kangra Herb’s/ Powerkan |
|
13 |
Kangra Herb’s / Immunokan Eco |
|
14 |
Ayush Remedies/ Long Looks- Grow Taller Pills for Girls |
|
15 |
Ayush Remedies/ Long Looks - Height Growth Supplements for Boys |
|
16 |
Ayush Remedies/ Long Looks - Grow Taller Pills for Adults |
|
17 |
Ayush Remedies / Kid Clear Capsules |
|
18 |
Ayush Remedies / Bluze Capsules |
|
19 |
Ayush Remedies / 4T Plus Capsules |
|
20 |
Ayush Remedies / Mast Mood Capsules |
|
21 |
Ayush Remedies / Maha Rasayan Capsules |
|
22 |
Ayush Remedies / Saffron M Power oil |
|
23 |
Ayush Remedies /Overnight Apurva Tilla Oil |
|
24 |
Ayush Remedies / King Cobra Oil |
|
25 |
Ayush Remedies / Lawax Oil |
|
26 |
Ayush Remedies / Mast Mood Oil |
|
27 |
Ayush Remedies / NF Cure Capsules |
|
28 |
Ayush Remedies / Shilajit ES Capsules |
|
29 |
Ayush Remedies / Kaunch Shakti Capsules |
|
30 |
Ayush Remedies / Saffron M Power capsules |
|
31 |
Ayush Remedies / Musli Strong capsules |
|
32 |
Ayush Remedies / Big B-36 capsules |
|
33 |
Ayush Remedies / Big B-36 Oil |
|
34 |
Ayush Remedies / Lady Fire capsules |
|
35 |
Ayush Remedies / Fantasy Capsules |
|
36 |
Ayush Remedies / Kamni Capsules |
|
37 |
Himcure Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd./ Red Horse Musli Power Capsule |
|
38 |
Himcure Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd./ Red Horse Musli Paak Time Plus |
|
39 |
Himcure Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd / Red Horse Power Booster Capsule |
|
40 |
Himcure Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd. / Red Horse Pushtidatta Paak |
|
41 |
Himcure Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd. / Red Horse Man Power Oil |
|
42 |
Anand Ayurveda / Treatment For Kidney Stones |
|
43 |
Anand Ayurveda / Treatment for Breast Enlargement |
|
44 |
Morphemeremedies Pvt Ltd. / Kohinoor Gold Plus |
|
45 |
Kapiva Ayurveda / Kapiva Shilajeet + Stamina Capsules |
|
46 |
Aadhavan AYUSH Pharmacy / Aadhavan Amukkara Power Gold |
|
47 |
Aadhavan AYUSH Pharmacy / Aadhavan Ammukara Churana |
|
48 |
Kairali Ayurvedic Products Private Limited. / Durance – 10 Capsules |
|
49 |
Kairali Ayurvedic Products Private Limited./Duravin Forte Capsules |
|
50 |
Kairali Ayurvedic Products Private Limited / Aswagandharishtam |
|
51 |
Kairali Ayurvedic Products Private Limited / Kumaryasavam |
|
52 |
Kairali Ayurvedic Products Private Limited / Kairbossom |
|
53 |
Vaidban Organic Ayureda Hub / X Plus Gold Cream |
|
54 |
Vaidban Organic Ayureda Hub / X Plus Gold Capsule |
|
55 |
Scortis Healthcare / True Shape Round Capsules |
|
56 |
Rana Herbal Healthcare / Kounch Pak |
|
57 |
Rana Herbal Healthcare / Ligoran Oil |
|
58 |
Rana Herbal Healthcare / Musli Power Pro |
|
59 |
Rana Herbal Healthcare / Musli Shilajit Gold |
|
60 |
Rana Herbal Healthcare/ Musli Pak |
|
61 |
Rana Herbal Healthcare / Safed Musli Powder |
|
62 |
Rana Herbal Healthcare/ B-Tone Oil |
|
63 |
Rana Herbal Healthcare/ B-Tone Tablets |
|
64 |
Rana Herbal Healthcare/ Til Oil |
|
65 |
Ayush Herbs Pvt Ltd. / Femtone |
|
66 |
Ayush Herbs Pvt Ltd. / Vigor Forte |
|
67 |
Ayush Herbs Pvt Ltd./ Testolabi |
|
68 |
Herbal Hills Wholesale Club / Vitomanhills Capsule |
|
69 |
Herbal Hills Wholesale Club / Shilajithills Suspension |
|
70 |
More Power Ayurvedic Capsules |
|
71 |
Janak Ayurveda / Heightex (3 months) |
|
72 |
Janak Ayurveda / Diabeze |
|
73 |
SBV Exports Limited / Sriram Herbals / King Cobra |
|
74 |
SBV Exports Limited / Sriram Herbals / King Cobra Capsules |
|
75 |
SBV Exports Limited / Sriram Herbals / Himalayan Niagra - Mens Infertility Medicine |
|
76 |
SBV Exports Limited / Sriram Herbals/ Himalayan Niagra- Erectile Dysfunction Pills |
|
77 |
SBV Exports Limited / Sriram Herbals / Breast Uplift Capsules |
|
78 |
SBV Exports Limited / Sriram Herbals / Breast Enhancements Capsules |
|
79 |
SBV Exports Limited / Sriram Herbals / Breast Growth Capsules |
|
80 |
SBV Exports Limited / Sriram Herbals /Uplift Oil |
|
81 |
SBV Exports Limited / Sriram Herbals /TIG-10 Tablet |
|
82 |
Sandhya Medicity India Private Limited / Female Cure For Infertility |
|
83 |
Kerala Ayurveda Limited / Ajax Capsule |
|
84 |
Ayurved Yogashram / AZ-Vigour Powder |
|
85 |
Ayurved Yogashram / AZ Vigour |
|
86 |
Ayurved Yogashram / AZ Oorja |
|
87 |
Ayurved Yogashram / Oorja Plus |
|
88 |
Ayurved Yogashram / Shilajeet |
|
89 |
Ayurved Yogashram / Ashwgandha |
|
90 |
Ayurved Yogashram / Sidh Makardwaj |
|
91 |
Ayurved Yogashram / PE Kit |
|
92 |
Ayurved Yogashram / Male low libido cure kit |
|
93 |
Ayurved Yogashram / AZ-Bust Care Cream |
|
94 |
Ayurved Yogashram / Breast Enlargement Kit |
|
95 |
Ayurved Yogashram / Mommy Bless |
|
96 |
Ayurved Yogashram / Libido Enhancer Kit |
|
97 |
Ayurved Yogashram /Cancer Healer Kit |
|
98 |
Ayurved Yogashram / Angina Prevention Kit |
|
99 |
Ayurved Yogashram / Maha Laxmi Vilas Ras |
|
100 |
Ayurved Yogashram / Asthma healer kit |
|
101 |
Ayurved Yogashram / Eye sight care kit |
|
102 |
Ayurved Yogashram / Trifla Extract |
|
103 |
Sharangdhar Natural Healthcare / Stamina |
|
104 |
Sharangdhar Natural Healthcare / Harto |
|
105 |
Rana Herbal Healthcare / Musli Power Pro Vati 60 Tab |
|
Education
Complaints against advertisements of 47 educational institutes listed below are UPHELD mainly because of unsubstantiated claims AND/OR misleading claims that they provide 100% placement/100% placement assistance AND/OR they claim to be the No.1 in their respective fields/ best in their respective fields. The advertisements also violated ASCI Guidelines for Advertising of Educational Institutions and Programs. Many advertisements also contravened ASCI Guidelines for Usage of Awards/Rankings in Advertisements and Guidelines for Disclaimers
Surmount International School |
Narasaraopeta Engineering College (NEC) |
Choudhary Defence Academy |
Naipunnya IAS Academy |
Suse Institute |
Pandey Classes |
The Delhi Public Society - DPS Jhansi (Delhi Public School) |
Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation – Faculty of Allied Health Sciences |
Alfa Incomp Systems-Alfa Computer Centre |
Paramount Coaching |
Vijaya International School |
Paras Institute of Commerce |
Pragyadeep Academy |
Nanhe Kadam Play School |
Nishant Classes |
Prince Education Hub-Prince Academy |
Sri Ramachandra Vidhyalaya High School |
George Group of Colleges (George School of Law) |
N. L. Dalmia Educational Society – N. L. Dalmia High School |
Sir Padampat Singhania Education Centre |
JKILS-Institute for Judicial Service Exams |
The Achievers School |
Prayas Career Institute |
Springfield School |
Pragati Career Institute |
Krayon Kids |
Universal High School |
The Globe Education Company – Trans Globe (Global Education Specialists |
Karam Devi Memorial Academy International School-KDMA International |
Thakur Educational Trust Thakur College of Science & Commerce |
St Joseph Higher Secondary School |
Sir Padampat Singhania Education Centre |
Genesis Classes Pvt. Ltd |
Nexus Media Solution – Web Nex India |
Nava Bharath National School |
Kalpavruksha Gurukul for IIT-Kalpavriksh |
Summer Valley School |
Career Point Ltd |
ICS Coaching Centre |
Holy Grace Academy of Management Studies |
Career Point Ltd – Career Point Version 2.0 |
Career Point Ltd – Career Point |
IMASS International Educational Foundation |
LNCT Group of Colleges- Jai Narain College of Technology |
National Institute of Industrial Engineering |
Sagar Group of Educational Society- Sage University |
Satluj Public School, Ellenabad |
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Others