LAHORE, Jan 4: The Punjab government on Thursday decided to allow strictly regulated kite flying and allied business, declaring that Basant would be held in the city on Feb 25. The duration of kite flying and related business activity, before and after Basant, will be announced later. The terms and conditions governing the activity in Lahore will be applicable all over the province.

The spool (charkhi) is banned and kite and twine dealers have been asked to deposit their stocks not matching the specifications with the respective union councils within seven days or face action. Imprisonment for violation has been enhanced from three to four years and the fine up to Rs100,000.

The announcement in this regard was made by the Planning and Development Chairman Suleman Ghani who is also the chairman of a committee formed by Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi to suggest how to allow kite flying and allied business activity in a harmless manner. The new measures were announced at a news conference here.

Mr Ghani, accompanied by the information secretary Taimur Azmat Osman, said the committee had completed its task and its recommendations were approved by the chief minister in a meeting held earlier in the day. He said the business would be allowed under the umbrella of a single association of kite dealers and manufacturers which would be registered under the companies act, having a legal duty to ensure harmless activity.

He said the maximum size of a gudda would be 4.50 tawa and that of a patang 4.50 in gitth (the locally conjectured sizes). Twine will be made of pure cotton thread not exceeding nine counts. It will be coated only with wheat flour glue, colouring dye and soft finely ground glass. Usage of metal wire or tandi will be a crime. Twine will be prepared only by licenced manufacturers under licences issued by the district government on the recommendation of a single association of kite manufacturers and dealers to be registered under the companies act.

Dealers in kites and twine will be registered on the recommendation of local councillors who will also be responsible for pinpointing any violation of the terms and conditions upon which violators will be punished. Committees comprising local councillors, notables and police will be formed to permit kite flying on a certain premises and to keep an eye on violators. Police will act on the report of such committees.

Motorcyclists will be bound to affix safety antennas on their vehicles to protect themselves against sharp twine. The government says it is ready to provide such antennas free of cost to the people to ensure their safety.

Mr Ghani said all the recommendations would either be incorporated in the related ordinance promulgated last year or introduced through a new law. “We are doing this under instructions from the Supreme Court which had banned kite flying and its business, and would convey to the apex court the measures adopted so far,” he said.

He said the government would keep a vigilant eye on the working of the registered association and kites and twine dealers and manufacturers to doubly ensure the safety of the people. “The police cannot storm into every house or the government alone cannot check or stop every violation. It is equally the duty of kite enthusiasts and dealers to ensure the protection of the people,” he asserted.

“We will ban kite flying and allied business activities immediately if violations are reported,” he warned.