The government has issued notices to Paytm and Reliance Jio Infocomm asking them whether they had taken prior permission before using Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photographs on advertisements of their products.

BCCL

An official with the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution confirmed the move, adding that the companies may also face penalties in the coming week. Two other ministry officials also confirmed the development.

The consumer affairs department in the ministry has also written to the ministry of information and broadcasting, advising it to sensitise the media about the need to obtain "prior permission" before commercial usage of certain emblems and names prohibited by The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.

Reliance Jio's use of the prime minister's photograph in full-page advertisements issued by the telco in September last year triggered a political debate and also led to a public interest litigation.

TOI

On November 9, hours after Modi announced the demonetisation exercise the previous night, Paytm welcomed the decision and urged the public to start using its digital wallet service by issuing an advertisement which had the prime minister's photograph on it.