PANAJI
Managing Director of the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited Derrick Pereira Neto has hit out at the Goa State Commission for Women for issuing directions for the removal of the contraceptive ads without first giving them a hearing. The Managing Director also questioned the mentality of those who objected to the ads saying that a ban on advertisements for contraceptives would also cover those issued by the National AIDS Control Society, which were issued for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease and population control.
The order singed by Women’s Commission chairperson Adv Vidhya Shet Tanavade was issued to KTCL on Wednesday. The order states that the Commission has taken strong cognizance of the matter of displaying advertisements of contraceptives at public places as reported in the press and through a memorandum submitted by NGOs.
It is, however, learnt that the issue was brought to the notice of the Commission through a memorandum submitted by Ranaragini, the women’s wing of the ultra right-wing outfit, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti.
“Whereas upon verification, this Commission is of the firm opinion that these advertisements do cause embarrassment to women and deteriorate their dignity,” reads the order issued by the Commission, which goes on to direct KTCL to remove the advertisements from public places with immediate effect.
“If people had a grievance against the advertisements they should have approached us because we are the cause of their grievance,” Neto said adding that contraceptives do not fall in the category of banned advertisements on Kadamba buses.
Speaking to The Goan, KTCL MD Neto said, “The directions to me are to remove the advertisements and to the North Goa and South Goa Collector to not allow the display of advertisements of contraceptives in public places. We will reply to the directions and bring certain facts to the notice of the Commission.”
Meanwhile, sources from KTCL also highlighted the revenue angle involved in this matter. It was pointed out that KTC leases out space on buses in a bid to earn revenue and used for advertising fast moving consumer goods. KTC has leased the space out to this particular advertisement for `1,500 per month for 350 buses and stands to earn over ` five lakh per month through this initiative.
