Question : CONTROL OVER FRIENDSHIP SERVICE

(a) whether the Government are aware that a number of enterprises are advertising in prominent dailies for offering friendship services;

(b) if so, whether the Government have any mechanism to ensure the legitimacy of these enterprises;

(c) if so, the details thereof ;

(d) if not, whether the Government propose to establish any mechanism to control these enterprises ;

(e) if so, the details thereof ; and

(f) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure that these enterprises do not indulge in anti-national/anti-social activities ?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS ( SHRI I.D. SWAMI )

(a) to (f): It has been brought to the notice of this Government that a number of enterprises are advertising in the prominent dailies for offering friendship services. The Press Council of India which is a body enjoined upon to maintain and improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies in India and to encourage the growth of a sense of responsibility and public service among all those engaged in the profession of journalism, had taken cognizance of similar advertisements in 1998 and had appealed to the newspapers not to accept advertisements which invite the general public to use friendship services. It had also asked the Ministry of Communication and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to take stringent action and subsequently VSNL had blocked access to international numbers which offered phone sex. The council is also considering taking up the matter for similar action for such centres operating from within the country.