Pay flag fee, shopkeepers in J&K told; voluntary, says govt

As part of a nationwide programme for Independence Day, shopkeepers in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag were told to pay Rs 20 as a “deposit fee” for the tricolour or face action. Subsequently, a senior district official clarified that the flag campaign was purely voluntary.

On Friday, the Anantnag Chief Education Officer (CEO) issued a circular for schools in the district, asking students and teachers to pay the Rs 20 fee. This circular was withdrawn after being shared widely on social media.

The announcement for shopkeepers was made from a loudspeaker-equipped vehicle in the district in South Kashmir.

Anantnag Deputy Commissioner Dr Piyush Singla Sunday said this had taken place without his permission and that the person responsible — the announcer — has been suspended.

Before his clarification, the following message went out through the loudspeakers on Saturday: “By order of the Anantnag District Administration, every shopkeeper is asked to deposit Rs 20 in the office that gives them trade license. It is possible that one who doesn’t deposit Rs 20 can face action. So to save themselves and complete this formality, they should deposit Rs 20.”

The Centre’s nationwide ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign seeks to encourage people to hoist the national flag on August 15.