The legislation prohibiting the lighting of fires and, by extension, "lambratzia" in Municipalities and Communities is in force, states an announcement by the Ministry of Justice and Public Order regarding the bill regulating the traditional custom of "lambratzia".
As he notes, the effort to legislatively regulate the traditional Easter custom of "lambratzia", so that it can continue, but in the right context and in a way that ensures the maintenance of public order and safety, the prevention of accidents, the prevention of fires and the protection of the environment, is outdated.
The initial bill was prepared in 2022, the Ministry reports, adding that in an effort to secure the required degree of consensus that would allow its enactment into law, the bill has since undergone three rounds of public consultation with all stakeholders, with the last of these being conducted online through the government's e-consultation website.
All comments submitted were taken into account in the final formulation of the bill to the extent possible, he continues.
The bill, he adds, submitted by the Government on "lambratzies" is in line with the legislation recently passed by Parliament, which prohibits lighting fires in residential areas, since it also includes a provision for lighting fires by exception, following a special permit from the relevant competent authority.
The sanctions included in the bill for potential violations are also in full compliance. The bill includes explicit terms and conditions for the licensing of "lambratzia", he says.
The Ministry emphasizes that the Local Government Authority has the discretion, and not the obligation, to issue a single “lambratzia” permit for each temple within its jurisdiction, as well as the right not to issue such a permit. Consequently, the Local Government Authority may also determine the final number of “lambratzia” permits to be granted.
Regarding the responsibilities of the Local Government Authority for controlling the lambrats, the Ministry states that these are limited to the appointment of competent officers for control and, in the event that violations are observed, to inform the Police and the Fire Department, so that they can be addressed, and not to intervene themselves.
He notes that the Police retains all its responsibilities, as they have been in force until today, in relation to this specific issue. Additionally, the Local Government Authority has the power to remove materials collected for "lambratzia", with the assistance of the Police where and where such a need arises.
For licensed "lambratzia" materials, these should be provided by the Local Government Authority, in order to ensure the use of clean wood, which when burned does not produce toxic or harmful fumes. It is clarified that licensed "lambratzia" wood cannot exceed three (3) meters in diameter and height, so the amount of wood required is relatively small.
Unfortunately, the Ministry reports, in view of the reservations expressed yesterday during the initial debate of the bill before the competent Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Order, the bill, which would allow under certain conditions an exception to the general fire ban in Municipalities and Communities, and, by extension, the continuation of the traditional custom of "lambratzia", in view of the upcoming Easter holidays, as mentioned by the Members of the Committee, will not even proceed for examination.
Therefore, he states, with the refusal of Parliament to examine the bill, the legislation prohibiting the lighting of fires and, by extension, "lampratzias" in Municipalities and Communities remains in force.
Source: KYPE
