After controversy erupted over Narendar Modi’s photo appearing on the diary and the calendar of Khadi and Village Industries Corporation (KVIC), the Prime minister’s office has clarified that his picture was used without permission.
The PMO has categorically said that PM Modi has disapproved using his picture in the calendar. and hence, they have now sought an explanation from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises on the matter, reported Economic Times.
The PMO officials have also alleged that PM Modi’s photo has been used by public or private entities many a times without seeking PMO’s permission, referring to the recent Reliance Jio and Paytm ads who used the PM’s picture without official authorization.
Meanwhile under fire, KVIC officials have justified their move saying it was not the first time their annual publications have not used the Mahatma’s image. The decision to use the PM’s image was based on the judgement that he “was a popular face and has also been a staunch supporter of khadi“.
KVIC chief VK Saxena, said using the PM’s image was “relevant to the core values“ of KVIC and that the decision was based on the fact that Modi as PM has given a boost to khadi. It was because of him that sales in 2015-16 had jumped 34%, a sharp rise from the 2-7% growth seen in the decade before that.
