(a) whether the Government has recently issued directions that due respect be paid to national emblems including the National Flag and the National Anthem and directed all States and Union Territories to strictly adhere to the Flag Code of India, 2002 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 971;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the reasons and circumstances for directing all States and Union Territories in this regard; and
(d) the response received from all the States and UTs?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)
(a) to (d): As per Seventh Schedule to the Constitution, ‘Police’ and ‘Police Order’ are State subjects, and as such the primary responsibility of implementation of various provisions of laws rests with the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Home Affairs issues advisories, from time to time, to all State/Union territory Governments to strictly comply with the provisions of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005, the Flag Code of India, 2002 and the Orders relating to the National Anthem of India.
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