Gandhinagar, Sep 16 (IANS) The Gujarat government has directed authorities to act against private organisations and NGOs using government names, emblems and designations in a manner that could suggest an official connection, as part of a state-wide enforcement drive under a law enacted in 1950.
The General Administration Department has instructed government departments, offices and registration authorities to ensure compliance with the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, following directions issued by the Union Department of Consumer Affairs.
The Act prohibits the use, without prior permission, of specified names and emblems for trade, business, professional or similar purposes.
According to the state government's instructions, private organisations, trusts and commercial establishments will require prior written approval from the Central Government to use terms such as “Bureau”, “Commission”, “Ministry”, “Centre”, “All India”, “National” and “Bharatiya” in their names where their use could suggest government patronage or affiliation.
Such organisations will also be required to make it clear that they are private enterprises and have no connection with the government or its objectives.
The move follows concerns raised by the Centre that some private bodies use names resembling those of government departments and display symbols or seals associated with the government on letterheads, visiting cards, office boards and websites.
Such practices, the government has said, can lead people to believe that they are dealing with an official body. The Act specifically covers names and emblems that suggest the patronage of the Union or a state government.
It also bars competent authorities from registering companies, firms, bodies or trademarks where the proposed name or emblem violates its provisions.
If there is a dispute over whether a name or emblem falls within the Act, the matter can be referred to the Central Government, whose decision is final.
Gujarat has accordingly directed authorities including registrars dealing with societies, firms and cooperatives to scrutinise proposed names at the registration stage and reject applications that contravene the law.
Cases involving doubt or disputes are to be referred to the Central Government.
The Union Department of Consumer Affairs has previously issued directions to states on the issue, noting that organisations using such names in violation of the Act could face prosecution.
The latest instructions are aimed at ensuring that private organisations do not create an impression of government backing or official status through their names, symbols or branding.
--IANS
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