ASCI Update: 98 out of 162 complaints upheld in October 2016

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), a self-regulatory body that propagates responsible advertising, has released a report of the complaints it upheld in the month of October 2016. The ASCI's Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) received complaints against 162 ads; 98 were upheld.

Of these, 37 belonged to the healthcare category, 31 to education, followed by 6 in the food and beverages category, and 5 in personal care. 19 advertisements were from other categories.

In the personal care segment, complaints were upheld against Zee Laboratories (Zee Myfair Cream), Unique Permanent Hair Loss Cream, Bajaj Corp. (Bajaj Almonds Drops Hair Oil), Vanesa Care (Denver Xtreme Performance Active Deodorant), and Sripali's Super Kesh Care Oil).

Brands pulled up for misleading ads in other categories include Rohit Surfactant (Ghadi Detergent Bar), Enterr 10 Televisions (Bhojpuri Cinema), Cheil India (Samsung Galaxy S5), Andslite. (Andslite Lighting Products), Panasonic India (Panasonic Life Conditioners), Xiaomi Technology India (Kevlar Fiber Cable), State Bank of India (type of property, net annual income and minimum loan amount), Usha International (Usha Fans), Air India, Nitikrushna Enterprises (RET Lifeguard RO Water Purifier), Jewel Souk Online Jewellery Marketplace, Go Airlines (India) (Go Valentine contest), Flipkart Internet (Flipkart - Sale of Titan Sonata digital Watch), Zee Entertainment Enterprises (Z ETC Channel), Socomo Technologies (Jugnoo), Vodafone India, Bharti Airtel (Airtel), Hindustan Unilever Limited (Vim Bar) and Aghin Chemicals (Sun Plus Aquamatic).

Education brands pulled up for violating ASCI guidelines were Think & Learn (Byju's Classes), K. C. Mahindra Education Trust (Nanhi Kali), and Millennium Group of Institutions.

Complaints against advertisements of all educational institutes listed below were mostly 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'

Names include Amity University, Gate Institute of Technology & Management, Bhadauria Group of Institutions (Jaswant Sinh Bhadauria Institute of Technology & Baba Saheb Ambedkar Polytechnic), Dr. Virendra Swarup Group of Institutions, CAC CA Campus, Desh Bhagat University, Uttam Group of Institutions, Lakshya Group of Colleges, Ganpat University U.V Patel College of Engineering, Vision Group of Institutions, MIET Computer, Green Fields Institute of Agriculture, GOAL Educational Services Pvt. Ltd (GOAL Coaching), S R Group of Institution, Br. Nath Pai Shikshan Sanstha Sindhudurg.- (Br. Nath Pai Nursing Education & Research Academy), MV Media Institute, Gandhi Engineering College, Shivalik Polytechnic, Eshan College of Engineering, International Institution of Technology & Professional Training (IITPT), British School of Languages, Rise Study Circle, HP College of Education (HP Institute of Management Studies) (HPIMS), Universal Coaching Centre, Raju Coaching Centre, Ansh Nursing College, Chandravansi Group Organization of Institution and SRSM Defence Academy.

Complaints against brands which were upheld in the healthcare segment for false, misleading, and unsubstantiated claims include, Thosh (Thosh Ion Shower), Respi Care (Salt Room Therapy), Radhe Sumiran Women's Hospital, Capitol Hospital, mage Herbals (Till Night Capsule), MFB Herbal Dawakhana (Alshifa Churna), Surya Pharmaceuticals (Nephromed Tablets & Syrup), Advance Homeopathy Research Centre, Rediscover Clinic, 34 Heart Care, The Body Care & Cure, Achme A Health Ashram, Adila Biotech (Asth Prash), Bhatia Global Hospital & Endo-surgery Institute, and Vee Care Marketing World (Vee Care Ayurveda Range of Products).

Other complaints which were upheld in this segment were Herb On Naturals (Herb On Shape), Amplifon India (Hearing aid), Aarav Speech & Hearing Clinic, Powerlife Wellness Centre, Ashoka Super Speciality Women Hospital, Sahas Homeo Clinic and Medical Store, Geetanjali Hospital, Ambica Ayurved (Nav Paurush Capsule and Powder), Arogya India Pharmacy, Khushi Ayurveda, American Skin and Dental Centre, Limra Active Viwing & Laser Skin Care Centre, Dr Danish Khan Wellness Clinic, Vardhan Ayurvedic Organisation, Narayana Hrudayalaya, Sahar Herbal Pharmacy (Rasayan Kalp Powder), OPTM Health Care, Herbal Strategi (Herbal Repellents - Range of Products), Abbott Healthcare (Pediasure), Shree Maruti Herbal (Stay On Power Capsules), Dindayal Industries (Rangoli Tablet), and Sanjeevani Herbals (Ayurveda Mix Plus Kashaya Soap).