Even though the Mumbai and rest of Maharashtra are witnessing the spread of new Omicron variants and communicable diseases in the wake of heavy rains, the Shinde-Fadnavis government on Tuesday announced that the upcoming Ganesh festival, Dahi Handi and Muharram will be celebrated without COVID 19 restrictions by following the High Court and Supreme Court orders.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and DCM Devendra Fadnavis after holding meeting with the various government departments, civic bodies and representatives of Mandals and organisations announced that the government has relaxed curbs on the height of Ganesh idols, directed the administration to provide online approvals through a single window and also waive the registration fee.
‘’All agencies should work in coordination to ensure that Ganeshotsav, Dahihandi and Moharram as well as other upcoming festivals are celebrated in peace, enthusiasm and gaiety. The police department has been asked to effectively implement steps to maintain law and order. The district administration has been directed to take immediate action regarding giving all the licenses to Ganeshotsav Mandals online and under the single window scheme,’’ said Shinde. He added that the Ganesh Mandals have been urged to celebrate Ganeshotsav in an environmentally friendly way and to show social awareness and unity.
Shinde said that the government has waived the payment of the registration fee by the Ganeshotsav mandals and they won’t have to submit a guarantee letter to the police department. He asked the administration not to impose unreasonable rules for the celebration of the Ganesh festival by mandals but wanted the mandals to follow the stipulated norms and rules.
CM said the government has set up a technical committee comprising representatives from MPCB, NIRI, IIT, and NCL on the use of plaster of Paris Ganesh idols. He added the committee would suggest an environment-friendly way out.
‘’Adequate power supply arrangements should be made to all immersion sites and immersion routes by BEST in Mumbai. Also this year we have lifted the restrictions on the height of the idol. Also, the government is positive to solve all the problems of the sculptors,’’ said Shinde.
The police have been directed to withdraw offences registered against the Ganesh mandal representatives in connection with noise pollution and other cases.
