Mysuru
The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has established single-window centres at all its zonal offices to facilitate the speedy processing of applications seeking permission for the installation of Gowri-Ganesh idols during this year’s festival.
Zonal Commissioners have been designated as nodal officers at the respective centres. Teams comprising officials from the MCC, Police Department, CESC and Fire Department will function at the zonal level to examine applications and ensure all necessary safety measures are in place.
The MCC Commissioner, M.K.Savita, in a press note, said applications received from organisers would be forwarded by the Zonal Commissioners to the concerned police, CESC and Fire Department officials. A joint site inspection would be conducted to assess safety arrangements and prevent any untoward incidents. Permission would be granted only after obtaining the approval of the concerned departments.
The Zonal Commissioners have also been instructed to obtain an undertaking from organisers along with the prescribed application and ensure compliance with conditions imposed by the MCC, Police, Fire and CESC departments before granting permission through the single-window system. They have been directed to personally inspect the sites and closely supervise the permission process to ensure there are no shortcomings and that law and order is maintained.
The MCC has also issued several guidelines concerning the manufacture and immersion of Ganesh idols. The manufacture of idols using chemical paints, thermocol and plaster of Paris has been completely prohibited within the corporation limits. Officials have been instructed to inspect places where idols are manufactured or sold and initiate criminal action against those violating the ban, besides imposing appropriate fines and seizing prohibited materials. The seized material should be disposed of as per rules.
Only eco-friendly clay Ganesh idols will be permitted for manufacture and sale.
The MCC will identify suitable immersion points within each zone for large eco-friendly idols and publicise their locations. Where necessary, mobile vehicles will be arranged to facilitate immersion within ward limits.
Immersion of idols in municipal water bodies has been prohibited. Temporary immersion facilities will be provided at designated locations. The soil, puja flowers, plastic and other materials generated during immersion will be segregated, with green waste sent to processing units and dry waste to designated collection centres.
As the plastic ban is in force, organisers have been instructed not to use banned plastic materials at idol installation venues.
Environmental Engineers and Zonal Development Officers have been directed to coordinate with the Zonal Commissioners in implementing all the measures.
