No new flag masts till Government develops policy: Kerala High Court

On Thursday, Justice Devan Ramachandran of the Kerala High Court directed that no new flag poles shall be instated until the State Government comes up with a policy to curb illegal flag-poles. 

The Court was deliberating upon an ongoing petition filed by the Mannam Sugar Mills Cooperative Limited, Panthalam seeking to remove various flagpoles erected by various trade unions before the gate of the sugar mill. In an earlier order Jutsice Ramachandran had directed the state government not to permit the installation of new flag poles or posts on public places and roads without obtaining permission from the competent authorities. Upon non-compliance of this order, Justice Ramachandran had also ordered the government to invoke provisions of Land Conservancy Act against all illegally erected flag poles. 

On Thursday, the Court took on record Senior Government Pleader S. Kannan's submission that no new flag masts are being allowed to be erected, and that action has also been taken in various districts to remove those which have been illegally done. 

The Court further noted that the the Government is in the process of evolving a comprehensive policy with respect to flag  masts to be erected in future and those which have already been installed, and until that is done "no new flag masts or posts will be allowed to be erected anywhere in Kerala," Justice Ramachandran noted. 

The matter is posted for 21st February,2022.