ASCI upholds 96 of 111 complaints in February

Healthcare leads the tally with nearly 38 per cent complaints from the sector.

The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has upheld complaints against 96 out of 111 advertisements in February 2013 for promoting misleading information. More than 85 per cent of the complaints were upheld.

Of the 96 complaints upheld, 36 complaints belong to the healthcare sector. This is nearly 38 per cent of the total complaints upheld.

The brands that have come under ASCI's scanner include Dabur India, Bakson Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Jagruti Test Tube Baby Center, Jolly Pharma India, Pratiraj Herbal Pharmacy, Fit & Fine Health Club, PGP College of Engineering & Technology, VLCC Institute, Emami, L'Oreal India, Oriflame India, SC Johnson Products, Ultratech India, Bajaj Electricals, United Spirits and Aiswarya Systems.

In the case of Dabur India, CCC upheld complaints against its print campaign as it was not able to substantiate its claims that Dabur Chyawanprash provides thrice more immunity to fight illness. CCC also upheld 35 other complaints from the healthcare sector as the claims made by their print ads were misleading and not substantiated with proofs, scientific studies and statistics. Some of the brands under scanner were Bourn Hall Clinic, Umalaxmi Organics, Naturoveda Health World, Dr. Nigam's Goodhealth, Gautam Clinic, Chandan Hospital among others.

In the education sector, the complaint against PGP College of Engineering and Technology was upheld. CCC found the college's claim of providing cent per cent placement through campus recruitment misleading and inappropriate.

Complaints against Emami Limited's TVC was also upheld as it claimed that its antiseptic cream has been used by 50 crore Indians. The brand was not able to substantiate its claim and, hence, CCC upheld it.

In the consumer durables sector, complaint against Bajaj Electricals Quick Chef Induction Cooker's print ad was upheld as CCC found its claims on saving power and money inadequate.

In the auto sector, CCC upheld the complaint for the print ad of Pioneer Motors for its claims of being the country's No.1 manufacturer without providing adequate information on its market share and other figures.

During February 2013, CCC also received 15 complaints against the advertisements of Cadbury India - Bournvita, Britannia Industries - Britannia Good Day Biscuits, Lenovo India - Lenovo Exclusive Store, Luminous Power Technologies - Luminous Range, Jubilant Food Works - Domino's Cheesy Boloroni Pizza, Bergner Impex India - Bergner Austria Kitchenware, Intercraft Trading - Rouge Plump Lipstick, HUL - Close Up Toothpaste, Celkon Impex - Celkon Smartron Mobile, Shree Cement - Ultra Red Oxide Cement, Bacardi India - Bacardi Music CD's - Beach, DKT India - DKT Condoms, Quikr India, Volkswagen Group Sales India, Colgate Palmolive - Colgate Total Advanced Whitening Toothpaste. However, the complaints against them were not upheld as they did not violate ASCI's guidelines.

In January 2013, 99 of 108 complaints were upheld. Earlier, in December 2012, 86 per cent ads (43 out of 50 complaints) were upheld; while in July 2012, only 25 out of 131 complaints were upheld, the least in recent times.

ASCI's National Advertising Monitoring Service has been instrumental in rigorously tracking most of the advertisements being released across print and television. The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) was established in 1985 and works to ensure the protection of the interests of consumers. Its main objective is to promote responsible advertising, thus enhancing the public's confidence in advertising.