Govt advertisements: SC notice to Centre on review of verdict
PremiumOn 13 May,SC had ruled that govt ads should not carry pictures of anyone other than the President, Prime Minister and the chief justice of India
Premium
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the central government after four states petitioned the court seeking a review of the guidelines on government advertisements.
A bench comprising justices Ranjan Gogoi and P.C. Ghose agreed to hear the review petitions filed by Assam, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal seeking to include photographs of the chief minister and governor of a state in advertisements. The court has also asked the original petitioner Common Cause, a non-profit organisation, to respond.
On 13 May, the apex court had ruled that government advertisements should not carry pictures of anyone other than the President, Prime Minister and the chief justice of India. The court had said the objective of the advertisement could be arrived at without a photograph, and asked the government to ensure public funds were utilised in an appropriate manner.
The states have sought parity in view of the federal nature of India, which puts state chief minister and governor at the same position as the Prime Minister and President of the country.
The court will hear the case on 13 October.
