Amritsar, India – A local advocacy group in Amritsar has strongly urged for more stringent legal measures against the sale and use of plastic kite strings, advocating for severe penalties to curb this practice. Citing public safety concerns, the group Voice of Amritsar (VOA) is pushing for legislative changes that would treat the sale of these hazardous materials almost akin to a criminal act.
The group announced plans to submit a formal petition to all 117 members of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. The proposed legislation would categorize the act of selling plastic strings as an attempt to murder, punishable by up to seven years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 15 lakh. Additionally, individuals caught using these strings for kite flying could face a three-month non-bailable jail term and a fine of Rs 25,000.
Sheenu Gupta, an official from the NGO, emphasized the importance of robust laws and their strict enforcement to deter the use of the dangerous string. Gupta pointed out that successful public awareness campaigns need to be backed by rigorous legal frameworks to make a lasting impact.
According to activists, monofilament yarn, which is primarily produced in Ludhiana for fishing and sports nets, is being misused for kite flying. They suggest that tighter controls at the point of production could significantly reduce the misuse of this material.
Local residents like Gurpreet Singh have observed that despite ongoing efforts to confiscate the banned kite strings, they remain available in the market. He stressed the need for promoting traditional kite strings, which are safer but less popular due to the availability of the plastic alternatives.
These calls for legislative reform come amid growing awareness of the dangers associated with the non-biodegradable monofilament string, which pose severe risks to both wildlife and humans, being capable of causing serious injuries or even fatalities.
The NGO is hopeful that their petition will unite legislators across party lines to enact these changes during the next session of the Punjab assembly. The organization asserts that the proposed laws will not only protect public safety but also help in instilling a greater sense of responsibility among vendors and users alike.
The evolving situation highlights a broader challenge of balancing cultural practices with environmental and safety considerations in a modern legislative framework. As the debate continues, the community watches keenly, hoping for a resolution that will safeguard tradition while protecting its people.
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