Govt declares kite flying a crime

* Miscreants will be liable to three years’ imprisonment
* District nazims can allow the sport for 15 days during spring

By Khawaja Naseer

LAHORE: The Punjab government has promulgated the Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying (amendment) Ordinance 2006 with immediate effect and kite flying has been declared an offence.

Violators of the ordinance will be liable to imprisonment for three years or a Rs 40,000 fine or both. In addition to promulgating the ordinance, the government has allowed the sport for 15 days during the spring season by delegating specific administrative authority to district nazims.

The ordinance states that nobody will be allowed to manufacture or sell metallic wire, nylon cord or any other such material.

Nazims concerned can allow the sport and sale of kite flying material for a period not exceeding 15 days through a notification approved by the government, provided that the government allows manufacturing by a general or special order.

Manufacturers, traders and salesmen will have to get themselves registered with the city district government, otherwise they will be liable to imprisonment for six months or a Rs 40,000 fine or both.

The district government has not yet made a system to implement the ordinance, but the district assembly has already approved some proposals in this regard. The district assembly suggested that elected representatives and police should be empowered to implement the ban effectively. It was proposed that committees should be formed at the union council level, which should consist of the union council nazim, station house officer concerned, town municipal officer, a representative of the district government and a delegate member of the Kite Flying Association. It was suggested that the union council nazim should head the committee.

On Sunday, the people of Lahore suffered once again because of kite flying, which caused power failure in around 12 major areas and police could do little to control the sport. Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) said that around 25 major, 250 minor and 15 emergent power trippings were recorded on Sunday. The Shalimar and Batapur grid stations were among the worst affected while the sub divisions of Bird Road, Bibi Pak Daman, Chah Miran, Green Town, Grand Trunk Road, Mayo Hospital, Rang Mahal, Hajvery Town, Akbari Gate, Mozang and Bhaati Gate also experienced trippings and power fluctuations.

Lahore District Coordination Officer (DCO) Mian Ijaz told Daily Times that a policy would be adopted to implement the ordinance.

Regarding the ineffective implementation of the ban on Sunday, he said that according to the Supreme Court’s orders, it was the responsibility of police to combat the issue. District government officials have also proposed that manufacturers and other people attached to the business should be provided alternate business opportunities. The officials said that the administration would also ask the Khushali and SME banks for the provision of soft loans. The Supreme Court banned kite flying for one month on October 25 and it was implemented on November 6. On December 9, the court concerned decided to continue the ban on a permanent basis and directed authorities to make arrangements in this regard. The next hearing of the case is on January 26, but the Punjab government has promulgated the ordinance.

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