The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) upheld complaints against 82 of 124 advertisements in April.
The personal and healthcare category recorded the maximum number of complaints upheld: 44 of 46.
The CCC found the claims in health and personal care products or service ads of 44 advertisers released in the press to be either misleading or false or not adequately/scientifically substantiated.
Some of the others held guilty were Kerala Ayurvedic Health Care and Jalan Healthcare (claims relating to loss of weight), Venus Remedies Limited (Ezenus claiming to be world’s first anti-stress herbal candy), Marico Ltd (saying Nihar Naturals Shanti Amla was one of the fastest growing hair oil brands in the country), Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (hair colour) and Dr Batra’s Homeopathic Clinic (claims on ads related to treating white patches and Psoriasis).
Education segment In the education segment , CCC found claims in print advertisements by 21 different advertisers were not substantiated.
Those against whom complaints were upheld included International Management Institute, Lakshya Career Academy (claims money-back guaranteed), Vidyul IAS Academy (ad claims that it is Haryana’s No. 1 coaching institute), Seed Infotech Pvt Ltd (claims to have provided placements to 2,600 candidates in the last 12 months with a 100 per cent job guarantee) and Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth.
Others against whom complaints were upheld include Life Insurance Corporation (oral disclaimer spoken at a rapid pace which makes it difficult to understand), Tata Sky Ltd (for making fun of beggars who have leprosy and are visually challenged), ICICI Bank Ltd, HDFC Bank Ltd, Godrej & Boyce Mfg Co Ltd.