| While replying to the an issue raised
by the opposition parties on the floor the legislative assembly, Deshmukh
reiterated that the government supported Shiv Sena MLA Dr Neelam Gorhe's
suggestion that there should be some control to restrict advertising
firms from misusing images of icons or religious figureheads.
The need for a regulatory authority arose from the controversy
revolving around the derogatory manner in which a pharmaceutical
firm had used the image of Gautam Buddha for selling its product
"Orgee".
Members of the ruling party as well as the opposition demanded
that the officials of the firm should be prosecuted under the Maharashtra
Control of Organised Crime Act (MOCCA). Members also protested against
the placement of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's pictures on "beedi"
packets.
Deshmukh suggested that a committee could be set up to examine
the advertisements before they are published. He also added that
the government is examining legal provisions for initiating action
against erring companies.
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