The government is considering to set up an inter-ministerial group to tackle the menace of misleading advertisements.

Consumer Affairs, Food and Public distribution Minister K V Thomas said this in New Delhi while inaugurating the 5th and final seminar on Impact of misleading advertisements on consumers. He said, the government will find out the ways to curb the misleading advertisements on the basis of suggestions that came up in this seminar and 4 similar seminars held at regional levels.

Mr. Thomas said, advertising standards and self regulation by the advertising industry is an important issue, particularly in India, where a majority of the consumers live in rural areas. He added that there is a need for a comprehensive legal regime to prohibit misleading advertisement, although the laws are being enforced by different ministries. Mr Thomas informed that the widely accepted opinion is that both self-regulation and legal controls should work in synergy.