Union health minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss has said he would take up the issue of Vijay Mallya’s United Breweries using ‘surrogate advertisement’ for promoting his Bangalore team in the Indian Premier League with the union information and broadcasting ministry.

Ramadoss asserted he would take up the issue with I&B minister PR Dasmunshi. Ever since the tobacco act, the health ministry is in a continuous dialogue with the I&B ministry on banning surrogate advertisements which seek to promote a specific cigarette or liquor brand.

On Monday, the Supreme Court had dismissed a petition seeking to restrain Bangalore’s Twenty20 team from using the ‘Royal Challenger’ logo on its jersey. The petitioner argued it was an extension of the ‘Royal Challenge’ brand, which is a liquor produced by the UB group.

“It is unfortunate that things like these are happening out there. We will be taking up the issue with the Information and Broadcasting ministry. But then yesterday, the Supreme Court did not take any cognisance as well,” Ramadoss said, PTI adds.

IPL CEO Sundara Raman, however, categorically said the IPL did not promote liquor but instead cricket through the tournament.