‘Misuse’ of State Emblem of India

Our Correspondent

TINSUKIA: Though there are specific rules on the usage of State Emblem of India for official purposes, a serious violation of the Act has come to light.

Recently, one of the conveners of North East NAMASTE States Swachh Bharat Mission Committee had appointed Dr Sashi Kanta Saikia, the Principal of DHSK College, Dibrugarh, as Brand Ambassador Assam of Swachh Bharat Abhijan, NAMASTE State, who in turn appointed Monoranjan Sharma as District Brand Ambassador of Tinsukia district on November 30.

What raised eyebrows was that Dr Saikia in his letter-head used for appointing the district ambassador, allegedly used the State Emblem of India ostensibly to highlight his own importance even as the State Emblem of India (Regulation of Use) Rules 2007 under Section 11 of the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act 2005 mandates the use of the emblem on official or demi-official stationery as specified in Schedule I. The rules further restricts the use of emblem under Section 10 (1, 2 and 3).

Tinsukia Deputy Commissioner Oinam Sarankumar Singh though not aware of the matter, said that he would act as per Rules only after receiving the official copy of the appointment which was sent to him by Dr Saikia recently.

Also Read: AAP gets court notice for misusing state emblem