The Advisor to the PM on Information disclosed in the National Assembly that there are no plans to impose an immediate ban on cigarette commercials on PTV because that will entail a loss of Rs 80 million which PTV is not in a position to bear at this moment of time.

It seems that the Advisor just read the official poppycock prepared by his Ministry section officers and did not comprehend the absurdity of this statement. The former Boss Lady of PTV allegedly caused a loss of over 200 million, but no action has been taken. When PTV can be so hypocritical by telecasting "smoking is bad for your health" blurbs, no one asks the hierarchy why this blatant "two-face" attitude. When millions of tomorrow’s future watch the enticing advertisements and then emulate the action-packed, smoking heroes, no one gives a hoot.

Alas, for a measly eight crore rupees (less than two million dollars), the Ministry has to be a cry-baby and sob over the dismal position of PTV. For crying out loud, the PTV can save more money if they do not send a large delegation on every VVIP foreign trip. Or are citizens so unimportant that revenue from cigarette commercials is the right panacea for PTV’s malaise ? Maybe the officials think that the only way to cure cancer is smoking, because then it is a very short and direct route to the graveyard.