LAHORE: In another effort to protect people’s lives, the Punjab government has been proposed multiplying the punishment and the amount of penalty several times for the violations of the kite flying laws in the province.
The Department of Local Government has sent a proposal to the provincial government of the Nawaz League to amend the laws related to kite flying in the province.
The department has proposed an imprisonment of five years with a fine of two million rupees for the violators of kite flying laws in Punjab.
The local government department also proposed to the authorities that the punishment and fine should be doubled for the violation of the kite flying laws for a second-time offence.
As per the channel report, the Department has proposed to end the government’s authority to allow kite flying for 15 days. So, after the amendment in the act and rules related to kite flying, the government will not be able to allow kite flying in any way.
Pertinent to mention that there are two legislations, rules and regulations regarding kite flying in Punjab.
The first one is the Punjab Prohibition of Dangerous Kite Flying Activities Ordinance, 2001 as amended vide Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying (Amendment) Act, 2009 (the “Act”).
The second are the rules i.e. Punjab Kite Flying Rules, 2007 (the “Rules”).
The Kite Flying Act empowered police to crack down on offenders. Despite its existence, no kite-flyer or string-maker has faced substantial punishment.
According to sources, 90% of the fatalities have been attributed to chemical strings causing neck or facial injuries.
The implementation of the Kite Flying Act led to a decrease in fatalities from 2009 onwards. However, the annual toll remains an average of 17 to 20 deaths and 50 to 55 injuries, especially during the spring festival of Basant celebrated in Punjab.
Efforts to curb the menace have been met with limited success. Despite numerous arrests and cases filed against kite makers, flyers and string sellers, the practice persists. The highest number of cases and arrests have been recorded in Lahore.
