ASCI Update: Complaints against 130 out of 199 ads upheld in April 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 April 2017. The ASCI's Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) received complaints against 199 ads; complaints against 130 ads were upheld.

Of these, 73 ads were from the healthcare category, followed by 30 ads from education category; 13 ads were from the food and beverages category, four in Telecommunication sector, three in personal care category and seven 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 Perfect Point, Vibes Healthcare (Vibes Centre), Vardan Speech & Hear Diag Cent, Medinn Belle Herbal Care, Unique International (Dr Richas Unique Clinic), Kudos Laboratories India, Renovision Exports, Cenozoic Remedies, Charak Ayurvedic Panchkarma Clinic, Cenozoic Remedies (Diaba Dops Range of Products), Shubham Homeo Clinic, Noor Cancer Care, Ambey Clinic, New Model Clinic, Classical Homeopath (Dr. Shivshankar Meetwar Clinic), Shree Hari Clinic, Ganga Clinic, Surya Ayurveda Hospital & Yoga Centre, Naik Homoeopathy, Arogyam Acupuncture & Naturopathy Clinic, Rajnish Hot Deals (Playwin Capsule), Shree Maruti Herbal (Stay On Oral Liquid), Shree Maruti Herbal (Stay On Power Capsule/Oil), Poona Preventive Cardiology Centre, Rishabh Hospital, 34 Heart Care, Oval Healthcare (Aveya IVF), Chaudhary Piles Hospital and Innovative Cure Beauty & Health Clinic.

The other brands which were upheld in the healthcare segment include Innovative Joints Rejuvenation Centre, Clove Dental, Muktha Laboratories (Catche must-quit-o), K. Patel Phyto Extractions (Dot Shot), Lion Dates Impex (Lion Dates Syrup), Nirmal Kayaz, Amomi Herbal Tablet, Wings IVF Hospital, Amandeep Hospital, Chahal Hair Clinic, Ayurwin Pharma (Nutrislim plus Range of Products), Dr. Batras Positive Health Clinic (Dr. Batras Homeopathic Clinic), Dr Batras Homeopathic Clinic, Dindayal Aushadhi (Original 303 Capsules), Dr. Dhiraj Patel (Khodiyar Ayurved), Speed Height Capsule, Zee Laboratories (Brexelant), Care and Cure Herbals (Shots Xtra Time and Desire Capsules and Gel for Men), Positive Homeopathy, Divyatej Ayurvedic, Dr. Tomar Ayur Spine Care & Panchkarma Center, Medikom Healthcare & Ayurvedic Centre, Chetan Herbals, Dr P K Jain Clinics, Rajput Clinic, Ayushman Homeopathic Center, Arogyadham, Shree Dhanvantri Ayur Hospital, Sri Jwala Ayurved Bhavan (Jwala Arshantak Set), Naik Hospital, B K Stones and Urology Clinic, VLCC Personal Care, Aakruti Physiotherapy & Slimming Centre and Emami (Keshking ayurvedic oil).

Education brands pulled up for violating ASCI guidelines for Advertising of Educational Institutions were Manya Education (GMAT Coaching), Jamboree Education, National School of Business, Laksh Coaching School, National Institute of Event Management, Narayana IIT/NEET Academy, ZEE Interactive Learning Syst, EuroKids International, J. K. Shah Classes, Made Easy Institute, IES Master, National Academy of Event Management & Development, Bhanwar Rathore Design Studio, Adithya IAS Academy, Sun Info systems, NEEV Coaching (NGP)-NEEV Coaching and Achievers Academy.

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':

M V Shipping Management Services (MV Shipping Academy), Ramappa Police Academy, Sona College of Technology, Winners Study Circle (Telangana Winners Study Circle), AKB Inst Of Finance & Mgmt, Babu Banarsi Das Institute of Technology, Sujas (SKR)-ML, Gurukul Sansthan, Nishant Classes, Management Development Institute Murshidabad, Vaikunth Mehta National Institute Of Co-Operative Management, Krupajal Group of Institutions and Dr. Gaur Hari Singhania Institute of management & research.

The food and beverage brands that have come under the ASCI scanner for violation of advertising guidelines include Adani Wilmar (Raag Gold Refined Palmolein Oil), Doctor Rice, Hatsun Agro Product (Arokya Curd), Amazon.com (Gits Instant Dahivada Snack Mix), Organic India (Organic Honey), Shree Shyam Chemical Industry Roller Flour & Rice Mills (Dalmia Gold Chakki Fresh Atta), CavinKare (Cavins Milk Shake), United Biscuits P. (Mcvities Whole wheat Marie), United Breweries (Kingfisher), United Biscuits (Mcvities Digestive biscuits), Britannia Industries (Britannia Nutrichoice Essentials Oat Cookies), ITC (B Natural Pomogranate Juice) and Nutricia International (Protinex Grow).

The personal care brands that have come under the ASCI scanner for violation of advertising guidelines include Vini Cosmetics (Fogg Roll on Deodorant), Godrej Consumer Products (Cinthol) and Hindustan Unilever (Pepsodent Germi Check).

The telecommunication brands that have come under the ASCI scanner for violation of advertising guidelines include Reliance Communications (Fastest 4G network), Maxis Communication (Aircel), Vodafone India and Reliance Communications.

Other brands which were pulled up for objectionable ads due to false and/or misleading claims include Amazon India (Woodland Wallet for Men), Mobitech Creations (OnePlus 3T - Best Smartphone Contest), Pisces eServices (Foodpanda), Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC ERGO General Insurance), The Emirates Group (Emirates Airlines), J G Hosiery (Sporto Red Track Pants) and Rajam Industries (Oorvasi Detergent Cake).