The Union Information & Broadcasting Ministry has constituted a 3 member Committee to see that guidelines set for government advertisements by the Supreme Court are followed. The committee will be headed by the former Chief Election Commissioner B B Tandon. TV journalist Rajat Sharma and ad-man Piyush Pandey will be the other 2 members of the committee.
Background:
- The committee was constituted by I&B Ministry based on the recommendation of the 3 member selection committee comprising Press Council Chairman Justice (retd) C K Prasad, I&B Secretary Sunil Arora and advertising professional Prasoon Joshi..
- Supreme Court order on Govt Advertisements In May 2015, Supreme Court in its order had issued Guidelines on Regulating Government Advertisements based on recommendations of Prof NR Madhava Menon Committee.
- in its order, SC had barred publication of photos of leaders in government advertisements except those of the President, Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India.
- SC had also directed the Union Government to constitute a 3 member committee to regulate the issue of public advertisements.
- It had clearly mentioned that member of this committee should be consisting of persons with unimpeachable neutrality and impartiality.
- However, in March 2016 SC modified its earlier May 2015 order and allowed photographs of Chief Ministers, Governors & ministers to be carried in public advertisements.
The Union Government constitutes B B Tandon Committee to monitor Government Advertisements
