Wings clipped, ad body looks at a 'co-regulating' role with govt

The new Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) will both regulate false and misleading advertising and also take action to punish offenders

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) is planning to push the government for a ‘co-regulating’ role against false and misleading advertisements, following the dilution of its powers under the new Consumer Protection Act 2019.

The Consumer Protection Act which was notified last month expressly says that it is the new Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) that will both regulate false and misleading advertising and also take action to punish offenders, whether through fines, discontinuance, alteration of the ad, or even jail.

To achieve the goal of ‘co-regulation’, ASCI is planning to take an appointment with Nidhi Khare, the newly