Reliance Jio is making news since September as it announced the Welcome Offer with freebies and the cheapest tariff plan ever. After Ambani announcement of Reliance Jio Happy New Year Offer, the remaining network providers had witnessed a huge slump in their share values.

A day after news emerged that the central government didn’t give permission to telecom giant Reliance to use Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photo in its Jio advertisements, it seems Reliance might end up paying a fine for using his pic.

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Reliance Has To Pay Fine For Using Modi Pic:

After serious criticism from the opposition leaders that Modi is promoting private enterprises, the government made an official statement yesterday. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said: “no permission was granted for it by the PMO.” It seems Reliance might end up solving the entire matter by paying a fine.

Reliance Jio may end up paying a penalty of just up to Rs 500 for using Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photograph in print and electronic advertisements without permission. Yes, that’s right, only Rs. 500 fine.

As per the law governing the misuse of emblems and names in India, the Section 3 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 clearly disallows the the use of “any name or emblem specified in the Schedule” to be used for “the purpose of any trade, business, calling or profession, or in the title of any patent, or in any trade mark or design” without the permission from central government .

The law also states that “any person who contravenes the provisions of Section 3 shall be punishable with fine, which may extend to five hundred rupees.”

The opposition leaders are raising questions about PM’s photographs featuring in advertisements issued by e-wallet ‘Paytm’ after Modi announced the demonetization of Old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.

Responding to the question, Rathore said: “The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act is administered by the ministry of consumer affairs, food, and public distribution”. Ministry officials said they had received no complaints regarding such misuse. “We will take necessary steps since there is a violation of the law,” an official said.

According to section-3 of the Act, no person shall use any “specified” name or emblem for the purpose of any trade, business or any such activities without the “previous permission of the Central government” or officers authorized by the government.

The list of nearly three dozens of names and emblems that cannot be used without prior permission of government includes President of India, Prime Minister, Governor of a state, Government of India or any state, Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, United Nations Organisation, Ashok Chakra or Dharma Chakra.

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