Taking serious note of reports of fatalities due to manjha, the Delhi Government on Tuesday issued a draft notification banning sale, production and storage of metal-coated thread or Chinese manjha in the Capital. Chinese thread is sharp as by being laced with glass, metal or other sharp objects.
According to the notification, kite flying will be permissible only with a cotton thread and natural fibre free from any metallic and glass components. The violation of directions will be punishable with an imprisonment of up to five years or fine up to Rs 1 lakh or with both.
The draft notification is issued in accordance with existing provisions of relevant laws and notifications which make it mandatory to invite public objections within a period of 60 days, following which a final notification will be issued. The draft notification is issued aftermath of two deaths on Monday. "There should be complete ban on the sale, production, storage, supply and use of nylon, plastic and Chinese manjha and any other kite flying thread that is sharp or made sharp such as by being laced with glass, metal or other sharp objects in the national Capital. Kite flying should be permissible only with a cotton thread /natural fibre free from any metallic /glass components," said the draft notification, adding that during the kite flying a lot of injury is caused to the people and birds on account of pucca thread made out of plastic or similar such synthetic material commonly known as Chinese thread. These injuries many a tiems turn out to be fatal causing death of people and birds.
"And whereas extensive use of such Chinese thread which are non-biodegradable, conductors of electricity often result in flash over on the power lines and sub stations which may cause power interruptions to consumers, straining and damaging electrical assets causing accidents, injuries and loss of life. It is also a well-known fact that the activity of the birds is at peak during 6 am to 8 am and from 5 pm to 7 pm. It is desirable to protect the birds including the vultures which are getting extinct day by day and classified as rare and endangered species and need to protect them from the fatal manja," the notification said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted that the Government is writing to lieutenant-Governor for taking action against Secretary (Environment) who sat on the file of notification for seven days. "Environment secretary took seven days to issue notification though file was cleared by my & Environment Minister’s offices within minutes on August 9," Sisodia tweeted.