GoM to discuss tmrw draft law to fix liability on celebs for

misleading ads New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) A new draft bill seeking up tofive-year jail term and a fine of Rs 50 lakh for celebritiesfound endorsing misleading advertisements will be taken up bya group of ministers tomorrow. The Centre in August last year had introduced the ConsumerProtection Bill 2015, in Lok Sabha, to repeal the 30-year-oldConsumer Protection Act. A Parliamentary Standing Committeehad submitted its recommendations in April. After studying the panel’s report, the Consumer AffairsMinistry has accepted some key recommendations such asprovisions for fixing liability on celebrities, stringentpunishment for adulteration among others. According to sources, the Department of Consumer Affairshas received comments from other ministries on the draft law. Almost all the ministries have no objections to theproposed provision to impose hefty penalty and imprisonment tocelebrities endorsing misleading advertisements as well asthose involved in adulteration, they added. A group of ministers, headed by Finance Minister ArunJaitley, is scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss the changesproposed by the Consumer Affairs Ministry in the draft lawbefore placing it for the Cabinet nod. Besides Jaitley, Consumer Affairs Minister Ram VilasPaswan, Heath Minister J P Nadda, Transport Minister NitinGakari, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Power MinisterPiyush Goyal and Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are partof the informal GoM. According to sources, the ministry has proposed stringentprovisions to tackle misleading advertisements as well as tofix liability on endorsers/celebrities. "For the first time offence, a fine of Rs 10 lakh andimprisonment of up to two years. For second and subsequentoffenses, a fine of Rs 50 lakh and imprisonment of five yearshas been proposed for celebrities and brand ambassadors," asource said. (MORE) PTI LUX MJH ANZABK