Pune: 8 Lakh Flags Returned Due To Citizens’ Anger Over Substandard Flags

Pune, 13th August 2022: Citizens went on strike due to the poor quality of flags provided by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign. Citizens are angry with the administration stating that if the administration is providing citizens with flags then at least provide flags of good quality. What is the need to insult the national flag like this? Meanwhile, out of 12 lakh flags received by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), only 4 lakh flags have turned out to be good and they have been distributed to the citizens.

The Municipal Corporation floated a tender to buy five lakh flags under the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, instead of selling the flags to the citizens, they decided to distribute them free of cost. The Central Government had sent 2.5 lakh flags to the Municipal Corporation, but they were sent back as the quality was not good.

The Municipal Corporation was ordered to send back the inferior flags provided by the contractor and provide good flags. More flags were supplied to the Municipal Corporation in the last two days. These flags were distributed through regional offices.

When the Municipal Corporation provided flags in the societies and settlements, citizens were upset because of Ashoka Chakra not being in the middle, stitching not being done properly, wrongly cut flags, stains and use of untidy cloth. There was a response that the administration should not make us insult the national flag by accepting the flags in this way, but the staff could not answer.

“Flags of very poor quality were provided in my society. While celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav year of the country, it is necessary to maintain the sanctity of the flag, but this does not seem to be happening. A complaint has been lodged with the field office for providing substandard flags,” said Prashant Bholgir, Secretary, Swapnashilp Society, Kothrud

“The municipality had received 12 lakh flags, out of which only 4 lakh good ones have been accepted. These flags are distributed in the city through the regional office. Citizens should participate in this activity by hoisting the flag at their homes,” said Vikram Kumar, Commissioner, Pune Municipal Corporation