PANJIM: Ahead of the Republic Day, the Central government has directed the States and Union Territories to ensure strict compliance of the flag code by discouraging use of national flag made of plastic.
In an advisory to the States and Union Territories, the Ministry of Home Affairs has said the national flag represents the hopes and aspirations of the people of the country and hence should occupy a position of honour.
“It has been brought to the notice of this Ministry that on the occasions of important national, cultural and sports events, the National Flags made of plastic are being used in place of National Flags made of paper. Since, plastic flags are not bio-degradable like paper flags, these do not get decomposed for a long time and ensuring appropriate disposal of National Flags made of plastic commensurate with dignity of the flag, is a practical problem,” reads the advisory. The States and UTs are thus urged to ensure that Natonal Flags made of paper are used by the public during the national, cultural and sports events, in terms of the provisions of the ‘Flag Code of India, 2002’ and such paper flags are not to be discarded or thrown on the ground after the event. These are to be disposed of, in private, consistent with the dignity of the flag.
