Hyderabad: Telangana state government has decided to clamp down on any disrespect to the national flag. With the first Independence Day being celebrated in new Telangana state, on August 15, the government made it clear that only the tricolour of the country, made of cloth and paper (not plastic), should be used in celebrating national days and other cultural and sports events.
In a memo issued to all District Collectors and heads of departments, Mr Ajay Mishra, Principal Secretary (Political), said the provisions of the Flag Code of India, 2002 and National Honour Act, 1971 should be mandatorily observed in upholding the dignity and importance of the national flag.
Quoting from the National Honour Act, 1971, the memo said the national flag should not be used as a festoon, rosette or bunting or in any manner for decoration. "It should be hoisted on important national, cultural and sports events. The paper flags should not be thrown on the ground or discarded after the event and should be disposed of in privacy with the dignity of the flag," the memo added.
The memo further said the expression of the Indian national flag includes any picture, painting, drawing or photograph or other visible representation of the Indian national flag or of any part or parts thereof, made of any substance or represented on any substance as a punishable offence entailing imprisonment for a term of three years or fine or both.
The Government directed that District Collector and District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police to instruct all concerned authorities and organizers to identify places where the national flag has to be hoisted and to follow the rules and regulations strictly and any violation will be treated as cognizable offense punishable under the Act.
"Efforts should be made to educate, and spread awareness to the people of the country through advertising, in print and electronic media, so that the proper usage and dignity of national flag should not suffer in any manner," the memo further added.
