LAHORE, April 20: The Lahore District Council on Wednesday approved a code of conduct for kite-flyers and thread and kite traders authorizing the district officer (environment) to sentence violators to six-month imprisonment and a fine of Rs5,000 on-the-spot under Punjab Local Government Ordinance provisions.

The code of conduct formulated by a committee headed by Data Ganj Bakhsh Town Nazim Tariq Sana Bajwa after consulting representatives of kite and thread manufacturers and traders, kite flying associations and general public was presented at a council session held here at the Jinnah Hall.

Moving a resolution for the approval of the code of conduct, District Nazim Mian Amer said the district government did not intend to impose a permanent ban on kite flying. It was enforcing the code of conduct to check the use of prohibited material for kite flying resulting in fatal accidents. A complete ban would be imposed in case accidents continued even after the enforcement of the code of conduct, he said.

He said the code of conduct was meant for checking production, storage and sale of kites and prohibited nylon thread, tandi and metal wire used for kite flying to prevent accidents. Kite dealers and manufacturers would desist from producing, storing and selling nylon, metal wire and tandi under the code of conduct. Coating of the thread used for kite flying with ground glass and starch would be allowed, but it would not be wound on a charkhi.

Through another resolution, the district council authorized the district Nazim to categorize citizen community boards’ projects in consultation with executive district officers concerned for inclusion in the budget.

The council also approved the establishment of seven petrol pumps/CNG stations in accordance with the new master plan and regularization of 17 homoeopathic dispensaries established by the ex-Metropolitan Corporation of Lahore. Proposals for changing the names of 24 roads and streets were also approved.

The Nazim heard the problems of the members after the session and issued orders for solving the same.