Voicing concern over use of 'Chinese manja' for flying kites in the city, Delhi High Court today asked the AAP government as to when it will issue the notification banning threads coated with powdered glass.
A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal wished to know the status of Delhi government's official order in view of the kite-flying festival celebrated in Delhi on August 15.
"You (Delhi government) know the urgency, kites are flown on August 15. You get instruction from authorities concerned by when the notification prepared by you and vetted by Delhi government's Law Department will be issued," the court said.
It further observed that in public interest it is asking the government to inform it as it has already drafted the notification for banning "Chinese manja" and allowing kite-flying with a "cotton thread".
Chinese manja is a nylon thread coated with powdered glass.
The bench sought the status of the order after it was informed through the Delhi government's counsel that the notification has been sent to LG for his approval.
"That (notification) is waiting (LG's approval) and beyond that we (Delhi government) have no control," Delhi government's counsel submitted.
Yesterday, the Delhi government has told the court that 'Chinese manja' would be banned soon as it is "conscious of injuries" caused by the kite-flying thread made of nylon.
The court was informed that the Delhi government was in process of issuing a notification for banning 'Chinese manja' and only allowing kite-flying with a cotton thread or natural fibre, "free from metallic or glass components".
The Supreme Court has recently sent a similar matter to
National Green Tribunal, observing that since the issue relates to protection of environment and wildlife, same should be adjudicated upon by the tribunal.
The court was hearing a plea of Zulfiquar Hussain who has alleged that earlier the "victims" of the synthetic thread were birds, "but now humans are also under threat" and referred to the recent death of a 28-year-old man in East Delhi whose throat allegedly got slit by such a thread while he was riding a motorbike.
He has also referred to deaths allegedly caused as a result of injuries from the thread in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
The petition contended that use and sale of the thread has been banned by Rajasthan High Court and that the Allahabad High Court has issued directions to take necessary steps to prohibit manufacture, use and sale of synthetic kite flying thread like 'Chinese manja'.
The plea, filed through advocate Tariq Adeeb, also said that Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh governments have banned this thread.
The petitioner has contended that use, manufacture and sale of the thread is illegal under Environment Protection Act 1986 and sought directions to the government to "strictly enforce the prohibition throughout Delhi".
