ASCI Update: Complaints against 214 out of 280 ads upheld in March 2017

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), a self-regulatory body that propagates responsible advertising, has released a report of the complaints it received and upheld in the month of March 2017. The ASCI's Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) received complaints against 280 ads; complaints against 214 ads were upheld.

Of these, 175 ads were from the healthcare category, followed by 21 ads from education category; seven ads were from the food and beverages category, and 11 ads were upheld in the others category.

Complaints against brands which were upheld in the healthcare segment for false, misleading, and unsubstantiated claims, and hence, violated the ASCI's code include Kolors Health Care India (Kolors Slimming & Beauty), Ayurwin Pharmaceutical (Nutrigain plus Powder & Capsules), SBS Biotech (Dr Juneja's Accumass), SBS Biotech Ayurvedic Division (Roop MantraSkin Care Products), Dr. Batra's Positive Health Clinic (Dr. Batra's Homeopathy), Dr Batra's Homeopathic Clinic, Ayushakti Ayurved (Ayushakti Ayur Health Centre), Kalpayur Ayurvedic Clinic & Panchakarma Center (Diabecare), Simandar Herbal (Yesaka Sugar Free Liquid), The Pain Clinic, Prettislim Clinic, Slim Trim Point, GEHM Clinic and Research Center (Fit Forte Tablets), Eye-Q Vision, Lifezen Healthcare, Shahjadi Pharmaceutical (Ab Love Day), Chemical Resources (GCB 70), Yashna Enterprises (No Blu Glasses), GBR Clinic-Fertility Centre, Vaidya Revati Prasad (112 salki burhia ki ghuti), OPTM Health Care (UR Halt), Ayurved Sumshodhanalaya (Kailas Jeevan multipurpose Ayurvedic cream), Gaudium IVF Centre (Gaudium Kare IVF), Srikara Hospital, Manjeeram Holistic Centre, Kudos Laboratories India (V-1 Capsules and Jointment), Kudos Ayurveda (Kudos Maharaja), Jeewan Jyoti Pharmacy (Health Sun Range Of Products), Trophic Wellness (Nutricharge - Man Tablet), (Nutricharge Prodiet), (Nutricharge Kids), (Nutricharge Health Drink), (Nutricharge), and (Nutricharge Products), Shree Baidyanath Ayurved Bhawan (Baidyanath Arjunamrita) and (Baidyanath Vita Ex Gold Plus), Shree Kalyan Ayurvedashram, Shree Maruti Herbal (Stay On Power Capsules), (Stay On Oral Liquid), (Stay-On Power Oil), (Stay On Oral Liquid), (Stay-On Range of Products), Tasmiya Retail (Beauty 4ever Permanent Hair Removal Cream), Dr Bhavana Shah Fitness Highway (Vela weight loss, U-Lipo and Tummy tuck), Dr. Bhavana Shah's Fitness Care (Dr. Bhavana Shah's Fitness Highway), Dr. Mehul's The Slimming Clinic, Angels Advanced Clinic (Angels Advanced Clinic), High Hopes, Zee Laboratories (Zee Myfair Cream), Life Homeopathy, Sardar Ji Skin Cure, Lord Pharma Company (Mehanorm Plus) and Sun Laboratories (Titanic-K2 Capsules).

The other brands which were upheld in the healthcare segment include Ayur Veda Mantra, Mata Tirath Devi Ayurvedic Hospital, Dr Shukla Ayurvedic Sex Clinic, Cenozoic Remedies (Diaba Dops Liquid & Capsules), Star Ayurveda (Star Homeopathy/Star Ayurveda), Charak Kayakalp Hospital, Olivet Pharma (Ayusya Ayurvedic Super Speciality Treatment), Soliel International Healthcare Products (BT-36 Body toner capsule and cream), Positive Homeopathy, Meeta Ayurveda, Ayurved Amrutam, Ratan Ayurvedic Sansthan (Sudol Body Toner Capsules), Raheem Unani Clinic, G M Ayurved, Dr. Dassan's life Care Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment and Research Centre, Dr Dassans Ayur Neuro Treat & Res Cent, Rajnish Hot Deals (Play Win Capsule), (Playwin plus Capsule), (Kasaav Dusting Powder), Dindayal Aushadhi (303 Capsules), Jeevan Jyoti Group of Hosp. (Arpit Test Tube Baby Center), Dr. Kamlesh Tandon Hospital and Test Tube Baby Centre, Akashdeep Hospital, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Rejuvenate Hair Transplant Centre, Vijaya Diagnostic Centre, Shri Ram Hospital, Chellaram Diabetes Institute (Chellaram Diabetes Hospital), Mohans Medicity Hospital, Guru Hospital, Columbia Asia Hospital (Nobesity Centre), Sneha Counseling Centre (Sneha Clinic & Counseling Centre), Dr. Tembe Hospital, Slim-N-Health, Mane Medical Foundation, Nurture Health Care (Ayurex S), Amrita homeopathy, Dr Richas Unique Clinic, Sugar Control Clinic, Khushi Ayurveda (Khushi Ayurveda Range Of Products), Capital Pharmacy (Attari Tel), Dr Rajesh Upadhyay Ksharsutra Clinic, Homeo Trends, Grovel Drugs & Chemicals (Amrutha Dia Churnam) and Chaturbhuj Pharmaceuticals (Japani Oil) and (Right Sugar Tablet).

More brands which were upheld in the healthcare segment include, Hair Mantras, Ruchi Herbals (Long Dive Range of Products), Classical Homoeopath (Dr Mitwar), Heart & Health Care, B K Arogyam & Research Center, Devarshi Ayurved & Biotech (Devarshi Ayurved Range of Products), Muniraj Ayurved Ashram (Muniraj Arsh Hari), Raj Pharmacy, Technopharm (Horse Power Capsules), Mahaguni Ayurveda (Mahaguni Ayurveda Range of Products), Juneja Clinic (Juneja Modern Clinic), Lord Dhanvantari Hospital, Olefia Biopharma (Votif Syrup), Janta Clinic, Sanjivani Ayurved Ashram, Sablok Clinic, Shivansh Ayurveda (Shivansh Ayrveda Range of Products), Sex Samadhan Clinic, Jivak Ayurveda, Pankajakasth uri Herbals (Pankaja Kasthuri Orthoherb), Shree Hari Clinic, S B Ayurvedic Speciality Hospital, Homeocare International, Alfa Hospital (Alfa Wellness), Makewell Pharmaceuticals (Speed Height Capsules), Jolly Pharma (Jolly Fat Go Range of Products), Jagat Pharma (Isotine Ayurvedic Eye Drops), Navchetana Kendra (Navchetana Kendra Products-Debisulin) and (Navchetana Kendra Products- Recall Capsule), Sks Ayurveda Impex (SKS Height Plus), Cosmo Vedant Herbal India (Vedantak Vati), Reva Health & Skin, Vardhan Ayurveda Hospital, Sanjeevani Welfare Foundation (Sanjeevani Foundation), Khodiyar Ayurvedic, Testo Ultra, Perfect Point, Ambe Physio Hospital, Hcg Regency Oncology Healthcare, Super Speciality Hospital, Mithal Cancer Center Enterprise (Meerut Cancer Hospital), Keya Fertility, Akshar Surgical Hospital, Saaol Heart Centre, R K Hospital, Bhola Hospital, Vansh Clinic & Test Tube Baby center, Shree Laser Hair & Skin Hospital and Medicover Fertility.

Education brands pulled up for violating ASCI guidelines for Advertising of Educational Institutions were Patel Group of Institutions, Frankfinn Aviation Services (Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training), Jupiter, NRI Academy (HYD) - NRI Academy and Vision 40 Academy IIT

Complaints against advertisements of all educational institutes listed below mostly were upheld because of unsubstantiated claims that they 'provide 100 per cent placement/AND/OR they claim to be the No.1 in their respective fields':

Sona School Management, OSK IT Solutions (OSK Consultant), National Academy of Event Management & Development, Rural Research and Development Agency (Sri Annai Nursing College), Nehru College of Education and Charitable Trust (Nehru Group of Institutions), PV Media Ventures Private Limited (Roc Talent Junction), Hindustan Air Academy, NILAYA'S ICATS Institute of Commerce, An IGP (CA Ashish Kalra's IGP e-learning Classes), Swapnil Patni's Classes, IAM Business School, Mentors Eduserv, Indo German Tool Room-Gv, Excellence Knowledge City-VC, S K Educations and Sri Nanesh Vikas Trust Samta.

The food and beverage brands that have come under the ASCI scanner for violation of advertising guidelines include A V Thomas (AVT Premium Tea and AVT Premium Select Tea), Apurva Organics (Chamong Green Tea), Mahesh Edible Oil Industries (Saloni Mustard Oil), Sri Family Biznet (Udupi Ruchi products), Sri Family Biznet (Udupi Ruchi Products), Keshav Industries (Keshav Edible Oils Range) and Heinz India (Complan).

Other brands which were pulled up for objectionable ads due to false and/or misleading claims include Jewel Souk Marketplace Limited (Sangini Diamond Jewellery), LG Electronics India (LG Air Conditioner), Relaxo Footwears (Relaxo Sparx Shoes), Jasper Infotech (Snapdeal - Amway Persona 100 per cent Pure Coconut Oil), Crusaders Technologies (Crusaders Air Purifier), TV Today Network (Aaj Tak), TV 18 Broadcast (CNN News18) and Asian Paints (Smart Care Solutions).

Bharti Airtel was upheld also for the claim of it being India's fastest network ad.