Mumbai: Citizens raise red flag over tricolour fest

The weekend is here and come Monday, India will celebrate the 75th Independence Day, but not all houses may be able to hoist the tricolour, as is the plan under the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign. While many societies and residents still wait for a flag, which the BMC promised to deliver at every doorstep, civic officials told mid-day that there is a shortage.

The BMC is struggling not only in distributing the national flag to every household, but is facing a tough time sending replacement for the faulty ones. Though two more days are left for the celebrations, these fall on a weekend. Many Mumbaikars have complained that they have not received flags for the occasion.

Kishor Gada, secretary of Sara Residency in Pant Nagar, Ghatkopar East, said that none of the societies in the vicinity has received the flags. "We applied on a central government portal for the flags and got a message saying we will get them. But nothing has arrived yet. We are now thinking of sending someone to the ward office to collect the flags," he added.

Sandesh Kadam, a resident of Ghatkopar, said, "We heard that the BMC is giving flags to every household. But we haven't received one yet. As my children are excited to hoist a flag, we will buy one." Sanjay Sonawane, assistant municipal commissioner of N ward, said, "We have distributed 1.32 lakh flags until Friday and more will be given away."

Another civic official said the N ward has nearly 1.8 lakh houses, but it received about 1.7 lakh flags, of which some were defective. "Initially, we distributed flags to shops and other establishments as well, but now we are only giving it to houses because of the limited stock," he added.

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The issue plagues almost every ward. The BMC had given flags to ward offices, which then distributed them to homes. Initially, the ward offices took the help of Asha workers, but as the deadline came closer, civic workers were also roped in. Some wards took the help of former corporators as well.

"Our former corporator Daksha Patel told us that even she didn't receive enough flags. No one got a flag in our area, and today is the last working day before Independence Day. We don't know whether we will get a flag now," said Samir Niwale, a resident of Pushpa Park in Malad East.

Mahesh Patil, assistant commissioner of P North ward, said the ward has a population of over 18 lakh, but it received only 2.87 lakh flags until Thursday and all were distributed. "On Friday, we received the last stock of 91,000 flags that will be distributed as soon as possible. The target was to distribute it to every house, but there will likely be a shortage," said Patil.

Dahisar resident Namita Khedekar said they are also waiting to get a flag. "My daughter recently heard that the BMC is distributing the national flag, and has been asking when we will get one," said Khedekar.

Assistant Municipal Commissioner of R North ward (Dahisar) Mridula Ande did not respond to mid-day's calls and messages for comment.

Jayshree Khadtare from Kurla East said, "My daughter is eagerly waiting for the flag. We hope to get it soon, otherwise, we will buy one."

Mahadev Shinde, assistant municipal commissioner of L ward (Kurla), said, "The distribution of the national flag is going on, and most areas have been covered."

Amol Chitre from Wadala said, "We have not received the national flag from the BMC. As this is a matter of national pride and we are celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, we will buy the flag."

"Most areas of the ward have been covered. Flags are being distributed to households that have not got one," Gajanan Bellale, Assistant Municipal commissioner F north ward.

BMC officials distribute tricolour in Byculla on August 6. Pic/Shadab Khan

Meanwhile, citizens who received defective flags are struggling to get a replacement. "I contacted P South ward and requested for a replacement, and I was assured one. But, I am not sure they will be able to give me a replacement, when many others have not got a flag," said Sandip Sawant, a Goregaon resident.

Earlier, the BMC targeted to distribute 50 lakh flags to households and establishments, but reduced the number to 35 lakh later.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashish Sharma on Friday said that the BMC has distributed around 40 lakh flags so far.

A south Mumbai resident said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi told us to hoist flag outside the door and windows of our homes, but we have not got free flags."

Another woman said, "How will we celebrate the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav when we have not got the flags yet?"

Buy your own

Municipal Commissioner Bhagyashree Kapse, Zone 7, said, "We are distributing flags in every household. We gave flags to societies, residents and schools. There were some defective flags, because of which not everyone could be given flags. We are trying our best to send flags to each home. But people can purchase flags for pride of the nation."

Workers at the Narayan stationery shop said, "This year, flag rates in the market have doubled. In wholesale, the rate increased by Rs 6-8 per small flag and by R40 per big flag. After the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, both demand and sale have doubled. Stocks at many shops are also over."

Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashish Sharma didn't respond to mid-day calls and messages.

With inputs from GMD