Paytm, Reliance Jio apologised for PM’s picture in advt: Minister

New Delhi, March 10 (IANS) Paytm and Reliance Jio have tendered apologies for using pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in their advertisements without prior permission, the government told the Rajya Sabha on Friday.

“Paytm and Reliance Jio have apologised for their inadvertent mistake,” C.R. Chaudhary, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, said in a written reply.

The Department of Consumer Affairs had sought clarification for the use of Modi’s photograph in companies’ full-page advertisements that contravened prior permission under The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.

The minister said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisery to the print media to check up on permission from competent authority before issuing any advertisement which carries the emblem and the names specified under the Act.