Home Ministry asked to administer Emblems Act

NEW DELHI: The Consumer Affairs Ministry has asked the Home Ministry to take over the complete administration of a law that aims to prevent improper use of certain emblems and names for professional and commercial purposes.

The Emblems and Names Act (Prevention of Improper Use)1950 is being administered by the Consumer Affairs Ministry, but enforcement is being done by the police.

"Since enforcement is done by police, we have written to the Home Ministry to take over the complete administration of this important law," a senior government official told PTI.

The Consumer Affairs Ministry, which normally receives complaints relating to the violations of the provisions of the law, passes the information to police for further action.

The Emblems and Names Act prevents the use of the name, emblem or official seal of Government of India and state government.

The law also protects the name of Parliament, legislature of a State, the Supreme Court, High Courts, the Central Secretariat, secretariats of state governments from misuse. The law also protects other Government offices or the pictorial representation of any building occupied by any of the aforesaid institutions.