In a significant administrative shift following the change of government in West Bengal, the state has begun phasing out the ‘Ba’ (Bengali letter) logo associated with the ‘Biswa Bangla’ brand from official use. The latest move in this direction involves removing the special ‘Ba’-emblazoned flags from vehicles used by senior IAS officers.
In their place, official vehicles will now carry dark blue flags featuring the National Emblem, including the Ashoka Chakra. The state secretariat, Nabanna, has issued a formal notification mandating this change, and implementation is already underway.
The earlier flags bearing the ‘Ba’ symbol were introduced during the tenure of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had personally designed them. These flags were used in three different shapes—rectangular, tail-shaped, and triangular—depending on the rank of the officer.
Under the new system, the design and shape of the flags continue to indicate rank but now follow a standardised format featuring the national emblem. Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, and officers of equivalent rank, along with Divisional Commissioners, will use dark blue rectangular flags. Super Time Scale officers have been assigned tail-shaped flags, while Commissioners, officers of equivalent rank (Junior Administrative Grade/Selection Grade), and District Magistrates will use triangular flags.
Nabanna’s directive lays down strict guidelines to maintain the dignity and proper usage of these flags. They must be affixed either at the center of the vehicle’s bonnet or mounted on a designated stand on the front grille. Officials are permitted to display these flags only while performing official duties, and they are required to ensure the flags remain clean and in good condition at all times.
Importantly, the notification clarifies that the presence of such VIP flags does not grant any exemption from traffic rules or violations.
To enhance administrative transparency, Nabanna will maintain a digital database detailing the issuance of flags, including the names of officials and corresponding vehicle registration numbers. This data will also be shared with agencies such as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, and Kolkata Police.
Sources indicate that the newly designed flags have already arrived at Nabanna, and the process of installing them on official vehicles has begun across the state.
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