Immediately publicise ban on Plaster of Paris idols, NGT tells TNPCB
The bench, comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati, said the Board was taking a 'backseat' in enforcing environmental regulations and also urged it to clearly specify penalties for those who violate the rules by immersing Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols in waterbodies.
In its order passed January 24, 2024, the bench directed a committee to meet at least six months before Vinayagar Chaturthi each year to ensure proper planning, including the creation of artificial tanks, early notification of waterbodies, and prevention of PoP idol manufacture.
When the case came up for compliance reporting on Tuesday, the bench questioned whether any posters had been displayed outlining the do's and don'ts to prevent the manufacture of idols made from PoP and other harmful materials.
With a little over two months to go for the festival, the bench also asked if steps had been taken to restrict the entry of such idols from neighbouring States. In response, the counsel representing the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board TNPCB requested additional time to submit a report.
The bench stressed that festivals should not contribute to environmental degradation. The bench suggested that makeshift waterbodies could be created where feasible, and a fee should be imposed for idol immersion. 'Let people immerse idols in a bucket of water, their own wells (if water is available), or in temporary waterbodies,' the bench recommended.
It directed the TNPCB to submit an action-taken report by June 30, and to raise public awareness by publishing the do's and don'ts in newspapers. The Board was also instructed to announce penalties for violators.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
19 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Karnataka HC urges strict enforcement of PoP idol ban
BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court directed the state government to implement the notification prohibiting Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesha idols with full seriousness. 'Undisputedly, the issue is a serious one. We expect the state to implement the order (prohibiting PoP idols) with full seriousness,' said a division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi, while disposing of the petition filed by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB). The petitioner has highlighted the impact of PoP idols on the environment, especially water bodies. The petitioner alleged that the order of prohibition of the PoP idols is not complied with, and two persons, M Sridhar and Srinivas, who have industries in Hulimavu of Kumbalgodu, are illegally manufacturing the idols, and are evading the order and continuing to market them. The government advocate submitted that certain FIRs have been lodged and necessary action would be taken in accordance with the law. Recording the submission, the court said, 'We do not pass any order as the government order is already issued prohibiting PoP idols, and the same needs to be implemented.'
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
NGT pulls up Corpn. over Manali waste incinerator
The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal has directed the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) to file a detailed report on the future of Manali waste incinerator, and barred the plant from being recommissioned without mandatory environmental clearances. The bench, comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati, was hearing a case taken up suo motu based on news reports regarding the illegal functioning of the waste incinerator. During the earlier hearing, the Bench took serious note of allegations of municipal waste being openly burnt at the Manali site, despite the incinerator being non-functional. The GCC had then informed the Bench that it had awarded a contract for repair of the facility on June 3, 2025, with a two-month deadline for completion. The Bench had warned against unauthorised burning, and directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to issue notice and impose penalties on offenders. On August 11, the Bench said that the contractor's stipulated two-month period had expired without any report of completion. The GCC's counsel sought additional time to file a detailed status report. In the meantime, the civic body is reportedly diverting waste to the Kodungaiyur facility. The TNPCB submitted that it had issued directions under Section 33A of the Water Act and Section 31A of the Air Act, and had clearly instructed that the Manali unit must not be operated until upgraded air pollution control measures and a suitable heat or energy recovery systems are installed. The unit must also comply with TNPCB's earlier directions dated June 12, 2020, and obtain fresh Consent to Operate before recommissioning. The Bench has now directed the GCC to submit its future plan of action, and instructed the TNPCB to maintain strict vigilance to ensure that the unit does not resume operations in violation of law. The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 25.
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
State authorities are expected to implement govt's order banning PoP idols with all seriousness: Karnataka High Court
The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday said that it expects the State government and its authorities, with all seriousness, implement the government's order of banning manufacture, distribution, and sale of idols made from Plaster of Paris (PoP) in accordance with the law. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi passed the order while disposing of a petition filed by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), which had sought a direction to the Urban Development Department (UDD) and other authorities of the State to implement the notification issued on September 15, 2023, banning PoP idols. While declining to issue any specific direction on the issue of manufacture, distribution, sale, etc., of PoP idols, the bench said that it is not inclined to pass any order as the government notification issued in 2023 in this regard is in force and it is for the authorities to implement their own orders. The KSPCB, in its petition, had said that despite the ban order, there are manufactures of PoP idols, and one in one such instance a PoP idol manufacturing unit, situated at Kumbalgodu near Kengeri, was sealed. However, despite this action, surreptitiously PoP idols in the sealed unit were being removed for sale. However, the government counsel pointed out to the bench that a First Information Report (FIR) was registered in connection with the manufacture of PoP idols at Kumbalgodu unit and further actions are underway.
