AGARTALA, June 28 (TIWN): Supreme court’s recent verdict, which will be effected in state Tripura too, has banned the publication of images of chief ministers and governors in state government ads due to which Ministers and any other such persons are no more able to propagate their own personalities, as well as their own “good deeds” on behalf of any political party. This is going to bring a change the scenario of the state, where anywhere any person, uses government’s money to show off their own credits.

"Photos have the potential of developing personality cult," said the top court, clarifying that party symbols and flags cannot be used in ads.  

Government advertisements will be able to carry images of the Prime Minister, President and Chief Justice of India and no other. This will apply to all kinds of mediums such as print, broadcast, billboards, the internet and will be in place till the government brings in a law on the subject. The court prohibited multiple ads on the same individual, such as Mahatma Gandhi, and said “While such persons must certainly be remembered. It has also said that the governments must avoid patronization of a particular media house “to ensure the independence, impartiality and neutrality of the fourth estate”.  

Laying down the objectives for government ads, the court said they must be related to government responsibility, presented in an objective manner and not be directed at promoting a particular party’s interests.