Stringent law on misleading celeb endorsements, says Ram Vilas Paswan

For stricter law on celebrities endorsing misleading advertisements, a proposal to ban is being considered by consumer affairs Ministry, said Ram Vilas Paswan minister for Consumer Affairs at an ASSOCHAM event held in New Delhi today.

The government will soon bring in stringent laws to curb misleading advertisements and adulteration to guard the consumer's interest. New Consumer Protection bill will be passed in coming session of the parliament which will strengthen the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and to check spurious products said Paswan at an ASSOCHAM National Summit and Awards on 'FMCG'.

Paswan also expressed worry over cheap Chinese goods flooding the market and said measures would be taken to check their rampant flow in the country.

He further mentioned that BIS has taken various initiatives under 'Make in India' for standard formulation which includes items which is substandard would be banned.

Chairing the ASSOCHAM meeting, the minister said BIS new Act is being amended comprehensively for the first ever after it being enacted in the year 1986. These amendments will empower the government to bring more products under mandatory certification and these products should have the ISI mark on it.

"Abroad, I have noticed even Indians do not wish to buy 'Made in India' products. There is an opinion set in the minds that developing countries do not manufacture good quality products. To change this attitude, our industry should comply with quality standards," said Paswan.

Paswan further said that due to poor standards followed while making products; India is lagging behind in the international market despite availability of talented people and cheap labour.

He said, the new consumer protection bill will be passed in coming session of the parliament. He further said that the standing committee has already examined the provisions relating to punishment for endorsing misleading advertisements and those involved in adulteration.

"Abroad and in the western world, people cannot imagine that there can be food adulteration. Here in India, we cannot imagine food without adulteration," he added.

On the issue of safe drinking water, He said, nobody can drink tap water in Delhi. Delhi's water is not safe for drinking, though there are quality standards in place.