Delhi Govt invokes emergency powers to prohibit manja

New Delhi, Aug 18 (PTI) Delhi government today invokedemergency powers in issuing prohibitory orders banningpowdered glass or metal coated kite strings (manja), a dayafter the Lt Governor’s office indicated that the draftnotification in this regard would not serve its intendedpurpose. The order issued by Divisional Commissioner A Anbarasuunder section 133, read with section 142, of CrPC, bans for aperiod of one month the manufacturing, trading and use of anystring coated with powdered glass, metal, or any other similarproperty. Such material (manza) is used to enhance the sharpness ofstrings and is extremely popular in kite flying. Stray manzasnuffed out three lives, including that of two children, onIndependence Day this year. The Delhi government had issued a draft notificationbanning it in the city only on August 16. It initially blamedthe Lt Governor’s office and then the Environment Secretaryfor delay in issuing the notification. The order issued today said immediate steps were neededto prevent such public nuisance and that there is sufficientground to proceed for immediate prevention and speedy remedywith the view to prevent any further damage to humans, birdsand animals. Yesterday, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung sought an explanationfrom the Environment Secretary Chandraker Bharti after DeputyChief Minister Manish Sisodia wrote to him seeking actionagainst the officer for the delay in issuing the draftnotification. However, the LG office questioned the draft notification,saying it would not have served its purpose as rules requireinviting suggestions from public before issuing the finalnotification after 60 days. PTI SBRRG