PANAJI
Following directions from the Women’s Commission, Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTCL) on Thursday asked the advertising agent, responsible for putting up the condom ads on the sides and backs of their buses, to remove them forthwith.
A senior official from the Corporation, confirmed the development, saying KTCL had informed the agent of the situation and asked him to remove advertisements from school buses.
“The objection that has been raised is against depicting a woman in the advertisement. The agent has been notified and he has told us that he will remove the advertisements from tomorrow,” the official said.
It may be recalled that objections were raised over depicting women in condom advertisements particularly on school buses, terming it as “embarrassment to women which deteriorates their dignity.” The Commission taking cognizance of the complaint had directed KTCL to remove the advertisement from public places with immediate effect.
The Corporation, questioning the purpose of the complaint, objected to removing the advertisements saying, it wasn’t allowed to put forth its point of view.
KTCL chairman Derrick Pereira Neto had also questioned the complaint saying that a ban on advertisements for contraceptives would also cover those issued by the National AIDS Control Society.
KTC outsources advertising on buses to an agent who had bagged the tender to advertise on the buses. It had leased this space for this particular advertisement for Rs 1500 per month for 350 buses and was earning around Rs 5 lakh per month.
