Action against 3 misleading advertisements instituted: Gupta

New Delhi, Aug 1: The Government has taken action against several misleading advertisements issued by companies during the festive season with the objective of attracting customers under the unfair trade practices category.

Stating this, Minister for Company Affairs Prem Chand Gupta told the Rajya Sabha that any representation containing false or misleading information about the standard or quality of goods or services amounted to unfair trade practice.

In a written reply, he said the action was taken on the basis of complaints filed over the past three years. This included one filed by Director General (Investigation&Registration) against L G Electronics India Pvt Ltd, New Delhi under section 36B (c) of the MRTP Act, 1969.

The DG (I&R) complaint alleged that the advertisement was prima facie deceptive and misleading under the MRTP Act. After issuing a notice of enquiry, the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission issued an interim injunction restraining the respondent from republishing/continuing similar advertisements in any form and in any media with immediate effect until further orders.

In another case, on a complaint filed by DG (I&R) against Spectrum Magazines Ltd under section 36B(c) of the MRTP Act, an enquiry was launched in to a scheme promoted by the respondent titled "A&M Mega Diwali Offer" offering gifts and prizes to subscribers who made advance subscription for one/three/five years. The enquiry was in progress, the Minister told the House.

UNI