Reliance Jio and Paytm have apologised for their “inadvertent mistake” of using Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph in their respective advertisements without prior permission, Parliament was informed on Friday.
The Department of Consumer Affairs sought clarification from Paytm and Reliance Jio regarding use of the photograph of the Prime Minister in their respective full page advertisements contravening the ‘prior permission’ stipulation in such cases under ‘The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950’, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution C.R. Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
“Paytm and Reliance Jio have apologised for their inadvertent mistake,” the Minister added.
Additionally, Parliament was informed that based on a request from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisory to print medium to check whether such ads had prior permission.
