Guidelines on the use of the State government emblem

Who can use the State Emblem of Kerala and who cannot, and occasions where the golden-coloured emblem are permitted are among the emblem-related matters dealt with in a set of guidelines issued by the General Administration Department.

The guidelines issued under a March 13 order are meant to provide clarity on the use of the emblem by various government functionaries and to prevent their misuse by individuals and organisations.

“No person shall use the emblem or any colourable imitation thereof in any manner which tends to create an impression that it relates to the Government or that it is an official document of the State Government, without the previous permission of the State Government or of such officer of the Government as may be authorised by it in this behalf,” March 13 order said. In this context, ‘person’ includes a former functionary of the Central or State government. ‘Colourable imitation’ refers to a close imitation of the original.

The emblem features a specific arrangement comprising two elephants facing each other with raised trunks, the Ashoka capital, a conch, and the inscriptions ‘Satyameva Jayate’ in Devanagri, ‘Kerala Sarkar’ in Malayalam and ‘Government of Kerala’ in English.

The guidelines prescribe the manner in which the emblem should be used in official seals, official documents and communications, letter pads and certifiicates and, in permitted cases, visiting cards, government stationery and identity cards and tags used by government officials. It also lists out the procedures for the use of the emblem in films and documentaries made by government departments, government vehicles and public buildings.

The colour of the emblem in all communications, including letter pads, should be either black, blue, green or red, according to the guidelines. However, MLAs and officers of and above the rank of Principal Secretary can use golden-coloured emblem in their official communications, visiting cards and letter pads, according to the guidelines.

The Governor, Chief Minister, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chief Whip, Ministers and dignitaries having Cabinet status and the Chief Secretary also can use gold-embossed emblems in official communications.

Golden coloured of gold-embossed emblem can also be used in government diaries and stationery used for ceremonies of “higher importance” conducted by the State government departments, according to the guidelines.