The decision comes in the wake of orders from the Election Commission to form such committees at corporation and district levels
Mumbai: The BMC has announced a seven- member committee to look into the issues of paid news, this election season. The decision comes in the wake of orders from the Election Commission ( EC) to form such committees at corporation and district levels. The committee comprises a representative of Mumbai Police Commissioner, Additional Commissioner Aseem Gupta, District Information Officer, member of the Press Council of India, concerned Returning Officers in respective wards and BMC Public Relations Officer Vijay Khabale.
The committee will have the following mandate – ¡ To enlighten political parties about what would constitute paid news and making them aware about the committee ¡ To look into complaints regarding objectionable news items, if any ¡ Conducting inquiry regarding the concerned candidate and issuing a show cause as to why the expenditure of the advertisement should not be included in his election expenditure ¡ Taking a final decision on the complaint after hearing out concerned political party ¡ Instructing the returning officers to include the expenditure under the candidates name.
