BJP selling distorted, low-quality Indian flags at its Karnataka HQ, claims media report
According to a report published by the Deccan Herald, the Karnataka BJP has been selling distorted and poorly stitched national flags at its headquarters in violation of the Flag Code of India.
To mark the 75th year of Indian Independence, on July 31, Minister S T Somashekar inaugurated a stall at the party office in Malleswaram to sell the tricolour to the public as part of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.
As per the Deccan Herald report, the BJP has set a target of hoisting 75 lakh flags throughout Karnataka, including 10 lakh from its state headquarters in Malleswaram.
On December 30, 2021, the Union government amended the Flag Code of India to permit the production of polyester and machine-made national flags for the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.
As per the Flag code, the tricolour should be rectangular in shape. It can be of “any size but the ratio of the length to the height (width) should be 3:2”. Furthermore, the Ashok Chakra should be placed at the centre. Lastly, the three horizontal stripes (saffron, white, and green) are required to be of equal proportion.
Although the tricolour sold from the BJP office is made from polyester, the party has also taken some liberties. During a visit to the state BJP office, Deccan Herald found that many of the flags being sold were neither rectangular in shape nor did they conform to the 3:2 ratio.
While some placed the Ashok Chakra away from the centre. In some flags, the green stripes are larger than the saffron and white ones. The quality is so poor that the loop of the flag has been stitched over, blocking the space to insert the stick. Many flags appeared badly tailored.
Each of these flags is being sold at Rs 25. The vendors are strictly receiving cash as UPI/Card payments are not accepted. Moreover, no receipt is issued to the buyer, and the buyer must give their name.
Despite the defects, the flags seem to be selling well. “Sales are good and most people are buying in bulk,” a party worker said. “We have already sold about 3 lakh flags from our office,” said N Ravi Kumar, party MLC and general secretary in charge of the Tiranga campaign in Karnataka.
Although Kumar claimed he hadn’t observed any manufacturing defects in the flags, he vowed to “look into” the distorted versions of the flag. He said flags had been supplied by different vendors and some party workers had even volunteered to stitch them.
“We are buying it for Rs 25 and selling it at the same rate. We are not charging anything for transportation, etc,” he said. A legal expert said some of the flags being sold by the ruling party “clearly violate” the guidelines stipulated in the Flag Code of India
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Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
