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• Flag Code of India 2002 regulates the use, display and hoisting of the National Flag in the country.
  • The code compiles all laws, conventions, practices, and instructions for the display of the National Flag.
  • It governs the display of the National Flag by private, public, government institutions, etc.
• The Flag Code of India, 2002 was amended in December 2021 to allow the production of polyester or machine-made National flag.
• Recently, the Union Government amended the flag code of India 2002 to allow the production of hand-spun, hand-woven or machine-made cotton/polyester/wool/silk/khadi bunting National Flag.

Recent Developments

• The Union Finance Ministry has recently announced that the sale of the National Flag is exempted from GST.
• The Union government will launch the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ national campaign to encourage people to hoist the National Flag in their homes to celebrate the 75th Independence Day of India.
• The amended flag code is expected to;
  • Increase the availability of flags on a large scale.
  • It will also make them affordable for the general public.
• The government is in touch with manufacturers and e-commerce sites to boost the availability of the National Flag.

Concern

• Many activists have raised concern more the amendment, they feel that it will break the connection between the Independence movement, National Flag, and khadi.
• Allowing the import of polyester-based National Flag will flood the Indian market with China-made Tricolour.
• Some groups of Khadi weavers and activists have registered their protests against the amendment.
• Karnataka Khadi Gramudyog Samyukta Sangha (KKGSS) agitated against the recent amendments, they also paused their operations.
  • The Khadi and Village Industries Commission authorised KKGSS as the sole manufacturer and supplier of the National Flag to the entire country.

Flag Code of India 2002

• Earlier, the display of the National flag was governed by the provisions of The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
  • The Flag Code of India, 2002, compiled all the earlier laws, conventions, practices and instructions related to National Flag.
• The Flag Code of India took effect on January 26, 2002.
  • It is a set of laws, practices and conventions for the display of the National flag.
• The code has been divided into 3 parts;
  • Part I - General description of the National flag.
  • Part II - About the display of the National flag by members of public and private organisations, educational institutions, etc.
  • Part III - Related to the display of the National flag by Governments and their organisations and agencies.
• According to the Flag Code of India 2002, there shall be no restriction on the display of the National Flag by the general public, private organizations, educational institutions etc, if they show dignity and honour for the National Flag.
• Description of the National Flag under the Flag code;
  • The Colour of the top panel shall be Saffron (Kesari).
  • The Colour of the bottom panel shall be Green.
  • The middle panel Colour shall be White.
  • Ashoka Chakra in navy blue colour with 24 equally spaced spokes in the middle panel.
• Khadi or hand-spun cloth shall be the only material allowed to be used for the National flag, and a flag made of any other material is punishable by law with imprisonment up to 3 years, and also a fine.
• Paper Flags should not be discarded or thrown on the ground. As far as possible, it should be disposed of in private with dignity.
• The privilege of flying the National flag on vehicles is restricted to:
  • The President, Vice-President, Governors and Lieutenant governors of the Indian States and Union Territories.
  • Heads of Indian missions/ posts abroad in other countries.
  • Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers; Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers of the Union.
  • Chief Minister and other Cabinet Ministers of a State or Union Territory; Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers of a State or Union Territory.
  • Speaker of the Lok Sabha; Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha; Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
  • Chairman of Legislative Councils in States; Speakers of Legislative Assemblies in States and Union Territories.
  • Chief Justice of India; Judges of Supreme Court; Chief Justice of High Courts; Judges of High Courts.
• The Supreme Court bench has said that under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, citizens had the fundamental right to fly the National flag on their premises throughout the year, provided the premises do not undermine the dignity of the national flag.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-flag-code-amendment-explained-8028772/

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