New Delhi, Oct 21: Concerned over the misuse of State Emblem of India, the Union Cabinet today decided to bring forth a law to prohibit or regulate its use and make violation of it a punishable offence. The proposed legislation would prohibit the use of the state emblem by members of the public including retired or former government officials or public servants unless specifically authorised by the central government, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters here after the cabinet meeting.

It would also prohibit the improper use of state emblem for professional and commercial purposes and also regulate its use by government functionaries, she said adding that "now any document carrying national emblem is generally perceived as official document". Any person contravening the provisions of the legislation shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to Rs 5,000 or with both.

If a person is convicted for the second time, he shall be punishable for the second and subsequent offence with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months, she said.
Bureau Report