MAPUSA
Can the National Emblem of India be installed in the middle of an ordinary public road at the initiative of a local MLA? That question has been raised over a proposal by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo to install the Lion Capital of Ashoka at the Tinto roundabout in Naika Waddo, with a village panchayat ward member seeking government intervention before the plan proceeds.
Seeking review
Calangute panchayat ward member Geeta L. Parab has written to the Chief Secretary and the managing director of the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC), objecting to the proposed installation and seeking a review of the plan on grounds of legal compliance, administrative approvals, the dignity of the national symbol and road safety. The objection brings the proposed installation under scrutiny, particularly over whether the site is appropriate for a symbol that represents the authority and identity of the Indian state, and whether the necessary permissions and safeguards have been secured.
Earlier communication
In her representation dated October 8, Parab drew attention to an earlier communication submitted to the GSIDC director on August 10. Point No. 3 of that letter states that the MLA had identified a source for the supply and installation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka to enhance the area’s aesthetic appeal and civic identity.
Parab has questioned the appropriateness of installing the emblem in the middle of a road junction, arguing that a proposal involving a national symbol must be assessed against the applicable legal provisions and administrative requirements rather than treated merely as a beautification project.
Road safety concerns
The issue also raises a practical question: whether the proposed structure would affect traffic movement, visibility or the safe passage of vehicles through the Tinto junction.
Legal provisions
The State Emblem of India is governed by the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005, and the State Emblem of India (Regulation of Use) Rules, 2007. The legislation restricts unauthorised use of the emblem, while the rules prescribe conditions governing its use, including its display on specified public buildings. The rules do not, by themselves, establish a blanket prohibition on every possible public installation; the precise legal position would depend on the nature of the proposed display, the authority behind it and the permissions applicable to the site.
National dignity
Parab has urged the authorities to examine these issues before proceeding with the installation, stressing that the National Emblem belongs to the nation and should not become a matter of political ownership or individual prestige.
Her representation places the onus on the concerned authorities to establish whether the proposal has received the necessary clearances and whether the location is suitable for such an installation. The Chief Secretary, GSIDC and the Calangute panchayat have been asked to reconsider the proposal and ensure that all applicable legal and administrative procedures are followed.
