PIB expresses regret for 'photoshop gaffe' during PM Narendra Modi's visit to Chennai

Facing flak for posting a doctored photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi surveying Tamil Nadu floods from a helicopter, PIB on Friday expressed regret saying the incident happened due to an "error of judgment". In the picture posted by Press Information Bureau (PIB) on its website and Twitter, houses and water were reportedly seen clearly through the chopper's window which the critics pointed out could not be possible during an aerial survey.

The photo was soon removed after questions were raised in social media about its authenticity.

In a clarification issued here, the PIB said, "Out of the seven pictures released, one picture used the technique of merging two pictures. This is being referred to as 'photoshopping' in sections of media. This happened due to error of judgment and the picture was subsequently deleted. PIB regrets the release of the above mentioned picture and inconvenience caused is regretted," it said in the statement.

The Prime Minister had made an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas of Chennai, its suburbs and Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts yesterday.