SC issues notice to Centre on violation of advertisement norms

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Central Government on plea filed by senior advocate Prashant Bhushan which alleges blatant violation of its norms on government advertisements.

The apex court has asked the Centre whether it has constituted a three-member panel to regulate its directions on government advertisements.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has reportedly set aside Rs. 520 crore to fund its radio advertisements over the current financial year, in which Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will address the people of Delhi and share his government's work.

However, the Kejriwal-led government on August 3 informed the Delhi High Court that it had spent Rs 22 crore on advertisements in the three months after the apex court's ruling of May 13.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court had ruled that only photographs of the President, the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice can be used for government advertisements which are being paid for by public funds.