Defence dept prohibits use of insignia flag on cars of officials

official_car Representative image | Shutterstock

Following an outrage in social media over use of the insignia flag of a Army Command on an official car of a civilian defence official, the ministry of defence has come out with its order saying, that it is 'strictly prohibited'.

According to a notification by the Defence Accounts Department on the use and display beacons or names etc on government vehicles, it says " We reiterate specifically, that display of name plates, use of insignia, flags etc., other than official stickers, on any government or hired vehicle is strictly prohibited. This office will review any violation of these orders with utmost severity."

" It is again emphasized that there is  no justification in displaying any such symbol of authority. These only diminish the attitude of service, that is an essential quality required to be perceived of civil service," stated the issue ordered by the Ministry of Defence on late Tuesday evening.

Last week, social media went into tizzy following a tweet by the principal spokesperson for the ministry of defence, which was a response to a tweet by former navy chief Admiral Arun Praksah (retd), who questioned the protocol. Admiral Arun Prakash had tweeted a photograph that showed the internal financial advisor appointed to the western command of the army (Chandimandir) as using the command's insignia flag on an official car. 

Principal Spokesperson for MoD, SR Rajshekhar, tweeted from her official handle in response to Arun Prakash “What about misuse of jawans in your residence during an officer’s tenure sir? And how about children being picked up and dropped to school in Fauji (military) gaadis (vehicles)? Not to forget Madam’s shopping expedition on government vehicles. And endless parties…who pays for that?” (sic). Though, Rajshekar deleted her tweet by admitting that 'inadvertently' done and regretted for it, her tweet was enough to ignite a fire in the social media, as several veterans including top retired military officials came out strongly and criticised her for the remarks. Eventually, by late Friday evening, she was sent on leave and Colonel Aman Anand, Army's PRO was given additional charge of MoD spokesperson. 

Rajshekhar, an officer from the Defence Accounts Service cadre, was appointed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as the principal spokesperson for the defence ministry last year.