This August 15, no more plastic flags

Every Independence Day, we proudly salute the national flag. But after the function, we see the flags made of non-biodegradable plastic, lying strewn on the roads. 

To prevent such insults to the national flag, the state government has banned the sale and use of national flags made of plastic, which are often found strewn on the roads after Independence Day, Republic Day and Maharashtra Day functions.

A circular in this regard was issued by special inspector general of police (law and order) Deven Bharti to all police commissionerates and rural headquarters in the state on June 14.

In the circular, the government has asked all police commissioners and superintendents of police to take action against manufacturers, distributors and vendors of plastic flags in their jurisdiction.

Bharti told dna, “We have issued a circular to all police commissionerates and rural police headquarters in the state. We will discuss this matter and decide how to implement this in the state.”

The circular states that Independence Day, Republic Day and Maharashtra Day are celebrated in the state and people carry plastic flags out of patriotism. After finishing the flag-hoisting programme, people throw the flags on the road. The plastic flag is non-biodegradable and difficult to destroy.

The circular adds that the Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti, schools and colleges should create awareness about shunning plastic flags while celebrating the days.

A senior officer of the Pune police, on condition of anonymity, told dna, “Even after the circular is issued, just creating awareness is not sufficient. If we get a free hand from our seniors, we will take stringent action against manufacturers, so that people would not buy plastic flags, which  are available at low price. People should think about the status of the national flag and not throw them anywhere.”