ADC R. Aishwarya holds preliminary meeting in view of Gowri-Ganesha festival, releases awareness poster

Mysuru: Additional Deputy Commissioner R. Aishwarya has appealed to the people to install clay Ganesha idols painted using natural colours during the forthcoming Gowri- Ganesha festival against the idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) and painted using chemical colours.

Chairing over the preliminary meeting organised in view of Gowri-Ganesha festival at her office in city yesterday, Aishwarya stated that, the District Administration, Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) have jointly issued guidelines to be followed, in the wake of an order totally prohibiting PoP and heavy metal made idols, including its making, selling and transportation and their immersion in water bodies. Any violations will be strictly dealt under Section 279 of Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS) by filing a criminal case.

No permission will be given to the stalls making and selling banned idols, while strict surveillance has been instructed at the border check-posts to check the supply of idols from other States to the district.

The Committee led by MCC Health Officers and Zonal Commissioners should conduct coordinated raids on idol-making units and seize PoP idols, besides levying a fine on them, the ADC said.

She added that the immersion of PoP made idols in rivers, lakes, wells and natural water sources are prohibited and the idols installed in the households should be immersed within the premises. The idols installed in public places should be immersed in Mobile Immersion Tanks stationed by MCC at designated places or artificial ponds. The organisers installing idols in public should obtain permission from the respective Local Bodies, City Corporation, Gram Panchayat and the Police Department.

The single use plastic are also prohibited in public pandals, along with flex boards and plastic buntings. To ensure peace in public places, the using of mikes is prohibited between 10 pm and 6 am. Prior to the immersion of idols, puja articles like fruits, flowers, banana stems and other dry wastes  should be separated and handed over to local garbage collecting vehicles.

Additional SP C. Mallick, KSPCB officers, Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat officers were present.