In the wake of complaints against some of the State governments for promoting ruling party leaders using public money, a Supreme Court-mandated content regulation panel wants the States to set up content regulators for government advertisements.

In case States are not keen to constitute their own panels, they can vest the authority in the three-member content regulation committee formed by the Centre.

The move assumes significance given that Delhi is slated to go to polls next month and a three-cornered fight between AAP, BJP and Congress expected.

With complaints received in the past against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and also previous Rajasthan government, the three-member central panel has asked Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry to nudge states for setting up content regulators at the earliest.

Failing this, a status report would be given to Supreme Court and states may face contempt action.