MAM
No need for new laws to check mis-leading ads
NEW DELHI: The Government has ruled out any new legislation to check the menace of misleading advertisements on the electronic or print media and feels the present laws are adequate to deal with the problem.
Apart from enforcement of the Advertising Code and hearing of complaints by the Inter-Ministerial Committee of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, misleading advertisements are also checked by the Advertising Standards Council of India.
In addition, there are various laws which contain provisions with regard to advertising: the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act 1955, Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) Act 2003, and Consumer Protection Act 1986 among others.
Under the Consumer Protection Act 1986, making false or misleading representation materially misleading the public, giving false or misleading facts etc. have been notified as unfair trade practices and a consumer has the right to seek redressal in consumer forums for any loss suffered on account of such misleading advertisements.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority prescribe for penal action against misleading advertisements pertaining to food products.
Rule 7(5) of the Advertising Code is clear that no advertisement shall contain references which are likely to lead the public to infer that the product advertised or any of its ingredients has some special or miraculous power or supernatural property or quality, which is difficult of being proved.
Information and Broadcasting Ministry sources also said the ASCI carries a scroll below advertisements where it attempts to say that the product advertised has not been tested by the Council.
While the Press Council of India takes up all issues relating to misleading advertisements in the print media, the Inter-Ministerial Committee has been referring to ASCI all complaints received by it relating to various TV channels.
The sources said that the advisories issued by the ASCI have been adhered to by the TV channels in almost all cases over the past two or three years.
Brands
Raj Cooling Systems launches Agreyas appliances brand
Emraan Hashmi named brand ambassador for consumer appliance push.
MUMBAI: A company known for cooling solutions is now heating up its ambitions in the home appliances market. Raj Cooling Systems Pvt. Ltd. has launched a new consumer appliances brand, Agreyas, marking its entry into India’s rapidly expanding home appliances sector valued at more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore. The move represents a strategic diversification for the company, which has traditionally focused on cooling solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Through Agreyas, the firm plans to tap into growing consumer demand for energy efficient and technology driven household appliances.
To build brand visibility, Agreyas has appointed Emraan Hashmi as its brand ambassador. The campaign has been developed under the banner of Zoommantra Productions, with actor and filmmaker Rohit Roy contributing to the creative direction.
The brand’s initial portfolio will include mid premium air conditioners, washing machines, geysers and other white goods designed to cater to modern Indian households seeking efficient and reliable appliances.
Raj Cooling Systems, founder and chairman Kalpesh Ramoliya said the launch aligns with the company’s broader expansion plans.
“The launch of Agreyas is in line with our vision to build a strong presence in India’s consumer electronics and home appliances market. The brand has been developed as a standalone identity to meet the evolving needs of Indian consumers,” he said.
Hashmi said the collaboration comes at a time when Indian buyers are increasingly looking for innovative and functional home solutions.
“I’m looking forward to working with Agreyas at a time when consumers are seeking more innovative and efficient home products. The brand reflects changing consumer behaviour around functionality, innovation and ease of use,” he said.
Raj Cooling Systems plans to invest around 10 million dollars in developing the brand, with an additional 5 million dollars earmarked over the next three to five years for product development and distribution expansion.
Agreyas will follow a multi channel distribution approach, selling through online platforms, retail outlets and dealer networks aimed at both urban and semi urban markets across India.
With the launch, the company is positioning Agreyas as a standalone consumer facing brand while continuing to leverage its existing manufacturing, engineering and research capabilities built through its core cooling solutions business.
