The "blunder" was noticed by recipients of the trophy, including those in Madras Regiment Centre, who had received nearly 60 trophies in the festival,department sources said.
The shields were distributed to the winners by District Collector, Archana Patnaik in the presence of another IAS officer in Horticulture department and an IPS officer.
The tricolour was printed on both sides of the emblem of Tamil Nadu government on the trophy and shields, which were given for the winners, who participated in three major events-- flower show, vegetable show and fruit show.
Authorities in Chennai have ordered an inquiry into the lapse and asked the department to submit a report at the earliest, the sources said.
Meanwhile, some human rights organisations are planning to take the issue to the Court, as the matter was serious and an insult to the National flag.