The State Government has prohibited the use of plastic flags, posters and flex for Republic Day celebrations. Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand issued directives to the senior officers in this regard in a meeting held here on Monday. Dhand reviewed the preparations for the Republic Day and said that adequate number of dustbins should be arranged to maintain cleanliness in the State-level and district-level programmes.
He directed that the list of the officers and employees of the different departments selected to receive awards on Republic Day should be provided to the Raipur District Collector by January 10. Dhand issued directions to the officers regarding distribution of invitation cards, erection of pandals, sitting arrangement, barricading, security, traffic, drinking water, and cleanliness at the venue.
The officers informed Dhand that preparations for the Republic Day have been started in all districts including Raipur. The State-level programme will be held at Police Parade ground in Raipur. The rehearsal of Republic Day parade will continue at the parade ground till January 24. The highlights of different departments would be exhibited through the tableau during the Republic Day programme.
These departments include Energy, Agriculture, Minerals, Water Resources, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Tribal Welfare, Prison, Urban Administration and Development, Women and Child Development, Social Welfare, Forest, Public Works, Public Health and Family Welfare, School Education, Cooperative, Public Health Engineering, Village industry, Culture and Tourism, Science and Technology besides public sector units of Central Government including BAlCO, National Mineral Development Corporation, South Eastern Coalfields limited and Bhilai Steel Plant.
A cultural programme will be organised in the evening of Republic Day at Muktakashi Manch in the Mahant Ghasidas Museum. Notably, the Union Home Ministry in its direction last year has stated that use of plastic flag is an insult to national flag and a ban should be imposed on its use and mass awareness should be created among the public in this regard.
If anyone uses plastic tri -colour he or she could get upto three years in jail , fine or both. In the circular, it has been stated to implement strictly the Flag Code of India, 2002 and Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
The Ministry also said it has been informed that on many important occasions, plastic flags were being used in place of paper flags. Since flags made of plastic are not biodegradable and do not get destroyed they are harmful for environment. Besides, it is also a problem to dispose flags made of plastic.
The Home Ministry letter also stated: ‘According to Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 (2) whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise shows disrespect to or brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag or the Constitution of India or any part thereof, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.’