Bon Voyage!

Mathew Joe

Listed below are 5 Indian laws (or legal provisions) that most citizens are generally not aware:

1. According to the Indian Aircraft Act of 1934, a kite is considered as an aircraft. Therefore, legally, you need a license to fly a kite in India. Yes, you read that right!! So if you plan to go out with your family or friends to fly a kite, you better carry your license.
2. All registered LPG gas consumers are entitled to a Rs. 40 lakh cover, against the risk of a gas cylinder explosion. This is a Public Liability Insurance Policy (Public Liability Insurance Act 1991) introduced by the government in 2016, by which the LPG distributors are responsible for taking the insurance policy. This ensures that the damages for the victims of the accident are provided for.
3. There is no uniform drinking age in India. This is because the policies relevant to alcohol and matters relating to it are a prerogative of the state government. The legal drinking age in some states are mentioned below:
   1. Himachal Pradesh – 18
   2. Andhra Pradesh – 21
   3. Tamil Nadu – 21
   4. Kerala – 23
   5. Maharashtra – 25
   6. Gujarat, Bihar, Manipur, Nagaland – Liquor consumption itself is illegal
4. According to the Treasure Trove Act of 1878, any treasure of value more than Rs. 10/- belongs to the District Collector. So, if you find a Rs. 20 note on the street and you fail to inform the District Collector, you could end up in jail. This was introduced during the British regime. At that time there were several cases of Indian kings hiding their wealth as treasures below the earth.
5. Anybody can use the restroom and drink water at any hotel irrespective of whether he/she stays there. By implementing this law under the Indian Sarais Act 1867, the government is making up for the dearth of public facilities.

The above mentioned laws were found through a conscious effort to identify those laws that most Indian citizens are not aware. Only the most interesting ones have been listed.

Most of us are not aware of the benefits, privileges and repercussions of the existing legal system (at least I was not). Knowledge of law not only gives confidence to harness the opportunities available, but also makes us aware of our responsibilities to the society.

One might have also noticed that the legislators of the country have failed to amend some of the old laws to the current context. It’s time they introspect.

The conclusion we draw from this is that we are all a part of a complicated and inconsistent legal system which requires us to take careful steps as we move forward.

Bon voyage!

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_laws_of_India

https://www.studentsforliberty.org/2018/02/20/eight-ridiculous-laws-in-india/

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/040216/every-lpg-blast-victim-can-claim-insurance.html

http://envfor.nic.in/rules-regulations/public-liability-insurance

https://www.popxo.com/2018/04/strange-indian-laws/

http://www.scrolldroll.com/weirdest-indian-laws/