MAM
Comprehensive law to impose on exaggeration advertisements
MUMBAI:Some instances of exaggeration in advertisement of many products, which do not really reveal the potential of their products, have been brought to the notice of the Government. |
| With a view to look into the violations of the Programme and Advertising Codes the central Government has constituted an Inter-ministerial Committee under Section 20 of the Act to look into any such violation. |
The Committee either suo-moto or on receipt of complaints, examines cases of violation of the Code and if any such violation is noted by the committee the same is communicated to the Government and action is taken against the TV channel as per rules thereafter. |
| As far as electronic media is concerned, all programmes and advertisements of satellite TV channels transmitted or retransmitted through cable service are required to adhere to the provisions of the Advertising Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the rules framed there under. The consumers who are affected/aggrieved have an option to seek redressal before a Consumer Forum established under Consumer Protection Act, 1986 against such unfair trade practices. The Act also empowers the State or the Central Government, as the case may be, to seek redressal in a Consumer Forum against such unfair trade practices either in individual capacity or as a representative of interests of consumers in general. The Press in India is free from Government control. The Press Council of India (PCI) is a statutory authority established for preserving the freedom of the Press and for maintaining and improving the standards of newspapers and news agencies in India. PCI has built ‘Norms of Journalistic Conduct‘ , which cover principles and ethics with regard to journalism, which states that Editors should insist on their right to have the final say in the acceptance or rejection of advertisements. The advisories issued by the PCI, however, carry only moral force and are not enforceable in a Court of Law. Misleading advertisements issued with the objective of attracting consumers by companies come under the category of unfair trade practices under Section 36A of the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act (MRTP Act). On receipt of complaint, action is taken by the MRTP Commission. This Information has been given by Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs P. R. Dasmunsi in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha. |
MAM
BLS International launches #VisaReady campaign to guide applicants
Initiative targets visa myths, delays and rejections with practical guidance
MUMBAI: Visa woes may soon meet their match because paperwork, it seems, is finally getting a user manual. BLS International has rolled out a new awareness drive, #VisaReadyWithBLSInternational, aimed at simplifying the often confusing visa application process and reducing delays caused by misinformation and incomplete documentation. The campaign, led across social media platforms, zeroes in on a long-standing pain point for travellers: lack of clarity around procedures, timelines and requirements. By offering step-by-step guidance, documentation checklists and clear Dos and Don’ts, the initiative attempts to turn what is typically a stressful process into a more predictable one.
At its core, the campaign also seeks to bust common myths that frequently derail applications issues that often lead to avoidable rejections or last-minute complications. The idea is to equip applicants with practical, actionable insights so they can plan better and submit stronger applications within expected timelines.
The push will not remain limited to digital channels. BLS International plans to extend the initiative across its Visa Application Centres globally, reinforcing awareness at key touchpoints where applicants engage with the process.
BLS International joint managing director Shikhar Aggarwal framed the campaign as more than a communication exercise, emphasising the company’s attempt to embed guidance and preparedness into every stage of the applicant journey.
Operating in over 70 countries and working with more than 46 client governments including embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions, the company has built a sizeable footprint in visa and consular services. With this campaign, it is now leaning into education as much as execution, signalling that in the world of visas, clarity might just be the new currency.
