New Delhi3 minutes ago
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In 2019, the Consumer Affairs Ministry had suggested changes in the punishment for misuse of national symbols.
The central government is soon going to make a provision for heavy fines and jail sentences to stop the misuse of national symbols.
It is proposed that the punishment in the law for misusing the names, photographs and national symbols of the Prime Minister and President be increased to a fine of Rs 5 lakh and jail.
At the same time, consideration is also being given to making a stringent law under a single ministry by combining two related laws of two different ministries.
Currently, The State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005 under the Ministry of Home Affairs and The Emblem and Names (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 1950 under the Ministry of Industry are in force.
According to sources, this proposal came up during talks between the two ministries. This change is being made in view of the increasing use of words like India, Commission, Corporation, Bureau in the names of private firms and NGOs. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs had recommended in 2019 First, in 2019, the Consumer Affairs Ministry had suggested changes in the punishment given for misuse of national symbols.
For the first time, the ministry had proposed to impose a fine of Rs 1 lakh on those doing so. At the same time, a fine of Rs 5 lakh and 6 months jail was suggested for those who commit the crime for the second time.
The ministry had given this suggestion on the basis of the provisions of The State Emblem Act of the Ministry of Home Affairs. There is a provision of 2 years in jail and a fine of up to Rs 5000 in the Act.
At the same time, in recent discussions, the Department of Industry and Internal Trade has suggested decriminalizing the misuse of national symbols (not considering it a criminal case) and limiting the punishment to fine and not giving jail sentence.