The Union Drinking Water and Sanitation Ministry has imposed a temporary ban on telecast of the Swachh Bharat advertisement in Odia television channels in view of the model code of conduct in force for the panchayat polls in the State.
Complying with the notice of the State Election Commission (SEC), the Ministry in a letter to the SEC Secretary said, “We would like to inform you that necessary directions have been issued to DAVP, Ministry of I&B to stop telecast of the advertisements in Odia TV channels relating to this Ministry immediately and compliance has been received from them,” said a letter of the Ministry addressed to the SEC Secretary.
It further stated that, “We are informed by the Doordarshan that no such campaign in Odia is currently going on.”
Notably, the ruling BJD moved the SEC recently alleging that the Centre is violating the model code of conduct by publishing and telecasting Swacch Bharat advertisements.
Earlier on December 29 the BJD had demanded that the advertisements of ‘Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)’ and ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ be stopped immediately.