ASCI upholds 121 out of 145 complaints in September

Like August, the number of violators from education, health and personal care categories was the highest.

The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has upheld complaints against 121 out of 145 advertisements in September, for being incorrect or misleading. According to the CCC, the self-regulatory industry body, maximum number of complaints was against companies/brands in education, health and personal care categories.

In the health and personal care category, for instance, CCC found 24 advertisers guilty of misleading, false or inadequate/scientifically unsubstantiated information in their print ads. A few of these ads also violated the provisions set under the Drug & Magic Remedies Act. Some of the companies against whom the complaints were upheld include Rich Feel Trichology Centre, HUL's Ponds Age Miracle, Colgate-Palmolive India's Colgate Strong, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare's Junior Horlicks, Dr Batra's Positive Health Clinic, Piramal Healthcare's Jungle Magic Mosquito Repellent Bands and Drug Rehabilitation Centre, among others.

In the education category, CCC upheld complaints against advertisers including Paras Institute of Commerce, Trimphant Institute of Management Education, Avinash College of Commerce, Momentum Coaching, Inlingua Bangalore and Maharishi Markandeshwar University.

Godrej & Boyce Mfg Company's Godrej Air Conditioner was found guilty of putting out a misleading advertisement that exaggerated and violated the ASCI code under the consumer durables category.

In the telecom category, CCC upheld complaints against Aditya Birla Group's Idea Cellular for sending out SMSes with illegal content (advertisement of alcoholic beverages).

Four advertisements in food and beverages category were in violation of ASCI's codes. Jivo Wellness's Jivo Canola oil, Westmalle Trapist Beer, Mersiant India's Equal Sweeteners and Parle's Hide n Seek were the brands, whose claims were found to be unsubstantiated.

Complaints against Bharti Softbank's Hike Messenger advertisement and Xerion Retail's Jabong.com were also upheld.

The complaint numbers seem to have come down from August, which saw 240 complaints of which complaints again 215 were upheld. In July, 177 out of 201 advertisers were found guilty of violating ASCI Codes.