Nylon manja: Rs 25,000 fine for flyers, up to Rs 2.5 lakh for sellers in Nagpur

Nagpur: The administration is preparing stricter action against the use and sale of nylon manja, the kite string that can prove fatal. The departments concerned have been asked, in line with court directions, to draw up a detailed set of rules so that the sale, storage, transport and use of nylon manja stay permanently banned. Heavy fines for violators have also been provided for.

Additional Collector Anoop Khande said the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has directed that comprehensive rules be framed for effective action against nylon manja. Accordingly, the collectors, police commissioners and municipal corporation administrations of the Nagpur and Amravati divisions have been made responsible for drawing up the rules.

Rs 25,000 fine for flying kites with it: Under the court's directions, anyone caught flying a kite with nylon manja will be fined Rs 25,000. If the user is found to be a minor, the fine will be recovered from the parents. The administration is preparing for strict monitoring and action.

Up to Rs 2.5 lakh for sellers: Sellers who stock nylon manja will be fined up to Rs 2.5 lakh. Action will also be taken if violations are found in sales or in any other way. A separate fine can be levied for each violation. The move is an attempt to curb the nylon manja trade effectively.

Appeal to citizens: Khande has appealed to citizens to follow the court's orders and stop using nylon manja altogether. According to the administration, nylon manja can pose a serious danger to birds and other animals as well as to people.

Citizens have been asked not to use the banned manja while flying kites. They have also been asked to inform the department concerned if they learn that it is being sold or stored.