Telangana News

For using Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph in print and electronic advertisements without permission, Reliance Jio may end up paying a penalty of just up to Rs 500.

Responding to the issue, Minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had said, "no permission was granted by prime minister's office" for using Modi's photographs in the advertisements. 

In response to a question from Samajwadi Party MP Neeraj Shekhar, Rathore had admitted that the government was aware that Jio used the PM's photographs in the advertisement.

The opposition also questioned about how the PM's photograph can be used by a private industry major to advertise its products. They even questioned Modi's photographs featuring in advertisements issued by e-wallet 'Paytm', after the PM announced the demonetization. 

Not stopping there, Shekhar had also sought to know whether there is any law that permits PM from becoming a brand ambassador of a private company and whether PMO has taken any step against the company, if norms have been violated.

Reacting to it, Rathore said, The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act is administered by the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution. Ministry officials said they had received no complaints regarding such misuse. "We will take necessary steps since there is a violation of the law," an official said. 

According to section-3 of the Act, no person shall use few names and emblems without prior permission of the government. The list includes Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Government of India or any state, Ashok Chakra or Dharma Chakra, President of India, Prime Minister, governor of a state, United Nations Organisation.