When will panel to oversee ad releases be formed: HC asks centre

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to apprise it of the steps taken to constitute a three-member committee to oversee the release of advertisements by the government and its agencies, following a Supreme Court ruling that such ads cannot be used for the benefit of political leaders.

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath asked advocate Anil Soni, appearing for the centre, to file a short affidavit indicating the steps taken on forming the committee.

Soni told the court that the centre was in the process of constituting a committee as directed by the apex court.

"What steps have you taken on constitution of committee? You have been saying it is in process, but when will the committee be constituted? File a short affidavit," the bench said, posting the matter for October 7.

The court was hearing a bunch of PILs, including one by Congress leader Ajay Maken, saying the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi was still issuing advertisements in violation of the Government Advertisement (Content Regulation) Guidelines of 2014.

Maken also sought direction to put an end to advertisements allegedly glorifying Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the AAAP.

Meanwhile, the advocate appearing for Maken told the court that despite telling the court that it has taken down all advertisements, the Delhi government was still publishing advertisements.

While showing some newspaper clippings to the bench, the advocate said the Delhi government has launched a six-month-anniversary campaign.

The bench asked the Delhi government to file a short affidavit on the allegation by Maken.

The city government had earlier defended its decision to spend on advertisements, saying it spent Rs.22.33 crore to spread awareness about its policies.