Home / Environment / Court Questions Celeb Fees for Pollution Ads
Court Questions Celeb Fees for Pollution Ads
26 Oct
Summary
- Court questions why celebrities charge for awareness campaigns.
- Celebrities attending 'Umang' could spare time for causes.
- Public money shouldn't fund paid celebrity participation.
The Bombay High Court expressed strong displeasure regarding the practice of paying Bollywood celebrities to participate in awareness campaigns against firecracker pollution. A division bench questioned the necessity of using public funds for such initiatives, particularly when celebrities demand substantial fees.
The court emphasized that if celebrities are unwilling to contribute their time voluntarily to social causes, especially those related to the city they have benefited from, they should not be approached. The bench suggested exploring alternatives, such as engaging Marathi actors who might be willing to participate without charge.
While acknowledging efforts by the BMC and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, including media outreach and school programs, the court stressed the need for consistent, year-round awareness drives. Special attention was called for in slum areas, where firecracker use persists late into the night, urging local leaders and prominent citizens to aid in disseminating awareness messages effectively.
