The need to set up a national-level statutory body for censoring advertisements has been stressed by the speakers at a seminar on `Misleading advertisements’ here recently.

They said constitution of a national level body had become necessary in the absence of a legal body vested with exclusive powers to deal with unfair advertisements.

Pointing out that countries like Britain had floated an exclusive statutory body like the `Advertising Standards Authority’ for effective censorship of advertisements, they wanted a similar unit to be constituted in India.

S. Pushpavanam, secretary, Consumer Protection Council, Tamil Nadu, which sponsored the seminar, said advertisements should furnish basic information like quality of the product, its price and performance. He said the Centre should evolve a code for checking any attempt to exploit the consumers.

S. Sundar, Head, Department of Management Studies, Shrimati Indira Gandhi College for Women, said advertisements should contain all relevant information, particularly when a dealer or firm offers special concessions in the form of rebates. Vague terms like `till the stock lasts’ or `conditions apply’ should be avoided and instead the quantum of stock available and the details about terms and conditions should be specifically spelt out.

Ganga Vidhya, a representative from the Advertising Standards Council of India, Mumbai, said the council initiated action based on genuine complaints against unfair advertisements.

The Director, Mudra Communications, Millind Jhadav, spoke on various advertisement techniques followed by ad agencies.

A resolution was adopted urging the Central government to form a legal body to censor advertisements.

A new forum called `Ad-watch’ comprising all those present as members and three co-ordinators, including Ganga Vidhya, was floated on the occasion. The public could contact `Ad-watch’ in connection with any advertisement-related complaints and clarifications.

The forum would contact its members through E-mail and initiate action against unfair advertisements, according to Mr. Pushpavanam.