Agencies

Mumbai, Jun 8: Television news channels showing old clippings of flood without mentioning it as 'file footage' and spreading false information may face trouble this monsoon, with the Maharashtra government deciding to take strict measures against such channels.

"Whoever spreads false information will be liable for a year's imprisonment or heavy fine, as per provisions of National Disaster Management Act," said State Relief and Rehabilitation Principal Secretary, M Ramesh Kumar.

"The Centre came out with the Act to tackle such incidents last year. It will ensure punishment for giving any false information about monsoon," he added.

The Indian Penal Code also has a provision to take stringent action against people spreading rumors, hoax or unsubstantiated news, Kumar added.

The police authority, Collector or any other nodal authority will have to bring it to the notice of the state government, about the TV channel misleading the people through news and action will be taken against it, Kumar said.

In every monsoon some part of the city is always seen flooded but repeated clippings shown on TV create an impression that the entire city is in a mess, he said.

It was observed that some channels still show the clippings of year 2006, when Mumbai was paralysed completely, without attributing it as a 'file' picture. But this time strict restriction will be imposed on them, another official said.

The state government is taking steps to ensure that people get correct information about rain and avoid any panic, he added.