Plaster of Paris idol sales continue across Karnataka as ban enforcement falters
So far, raids have been conducted only in two places -- Bengaluru's Dasarahalli zone and Hubballi where 1,000 and 180 idols, respectively, were seized.
'It has been a year since the government issued orders banning PoP idols. From the last last festive season till now, all the idols that were stored should have been seized and scientifically destroyed. Now, when the festival is just a month away, insignificant checks have started,' said an environment expert working with the KSPCB.
On Thursday, Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre had reiterated the state government's 2023 ban and directed officials to take stock of the clay and P0P idols and strictly enforce the ban.
Sellers, however, pointed out that they have old stocks which they have invested upon and need to be cleared. 'These idols were made during the previous years and I have paid for each of them. They are to be used in community/public spaces. The government should give us at least one-year time to ensure that they are disposed. Nobody wants second-hand idols for festivities, which the government has been promoting,' said Mallappa, a trader on Mysuru Road. BBMP's construction and debris waste management officials said there are incinerator plants to scientifically dispose PoP idols, but no idols come to them due to religious sentiments.
The KSPCB banned the use of PoP idols in 2016. The National Green Tribunal issued orders banning sale, manufacture and usage of PoP idols in 2023 and the Karnataka government issued orders banning them in August 2024. The chief secretary also issued orders for the formation of committees under the district administrations to ensure sale, manufacture and usage of eco-friendly idols and green crackers.
KSPCB senior environmental officer G Yateesh said, 'The board has written to the district administrations to seize all those manufacturing and selling PoP idols. But the police and district administration is not cooperating. People should also understand and stop purchasing. We are aware of the idols and seizures are being done. People must also come forward and give details of where they see such idols.'
How to identify PoP, lead paint idols
Lift the idol; if it is solid inside and hard then it is PoP
Idols made with eco-friendly items like clay, gunny sacks and hay stacks are light and not hard
Eco-friendly paints are not bright, shiny and glossy
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
PM Modi to inaugurate Bengaluru Namma Metro's Yellow Line on August 10
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Sunday announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate Bengaluru's much-anticipated Yellow Line Metro on August 10. Sharing the update on 'X', Surya expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister, highlighting his consistent commitment to boosting Bengaluru's infrastructure. The project, costing ₹ 5,056.99 crore, aims to alleviate traffic congestion, particularly at the Silk Board junction, benefiting around 8,00,000 daily commuters.(X) READ | 'Highest road tax, highest road torture': Bengaluru doctor's viral post reignites outrage over bad traffic The new Yellow Line, running 19.15 km from RV Road to Bommasandra and comprised of 16 stations, has been built at a cost of ₹5,056.99 crore. The project is expected to benefit nearly 8,00,000 daily commuters and significantly reduce congestion in high-traffic areas, most notably at the busy Silk Board junction. Surya underscored his belief that expanded public transport like the Metro offers the only lasting remedy to the city's notorious traffic problems. READ | Bengaluru's BBMP introduces 75 clearance centres at zonal offices for Ganesha festival organisers: Report With the Metro's inauguration set for August 10, the rollout is on track to meet the planned August 15 opening for public operations. Surya credited the punctual launch to Modi's direct involvement, which he said helped clear remaining hurdles and ensured the line would open without further delay. READ | Bengaluru's twin tunnel project to use slurry boring machines for excavation: Report 'Hon. PM Sri @narendramodi Ji will inaugurate the all important Yellow Line metro on August 10. On behalf of all people of Bengaluru, I thank PM for always prioritising infrastructure development of our city. This line will cater to close to 8L riders and the infamous Silk Board jam will be addressed greatly. Public transport is the only option to reduce traffic congestion. P.S. We are meeting the August 15 deadline! It happened only because of PM's personal insistence that this must be open to public without any further delay,' he wrote on X. Surya also referenced a statement from Union Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. According to Khattar, the Prime Minister will both inaugurate the Yellow Line and lay the foundation stone for 44.65 km of Metro Phase-3 expansion, a project valued at ₹15,611 crore, during the August 10 ceremony. 'I am pleased to announce that the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India has kindly agreed to inaugurate 19.15 km Yellow Line from RV Road to Bommasandra of Bangaluru metro with 16 stations at the cost of ₹5,056.99 Cr and lay the foundation stone of 44.65 km of Bangalore phase-3 at the cost of ₹15,611 Crore on 10th August 2025,' his post read.
New Indian Express
12 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Case against cop for cutting tree for Rahul's protest
BENGALURU: The BBMP has filed a complaint against a police constable for removing a tree from the Freedom Park premises allegedly for better surveillance during the Congress protest to be led by Rahul Gandhi on August 5. According to the BBMP Forest Division, the official against whom they have registered the FIR on Friday for the forest-related offence is identified as Mahadev Swamy, a head constable attached to Upparpet Police Station. 'The police officials are responsible for security and other arrangements, and hence, to make the field clear, an Indian bird cherry tree was cut, and the official was seen directing the workers to cut. The Forest Department has registered the case under Section 8 of the Karnataka Tree Preservation Act 1976, and it is a compoundable offence where the department can impose a penalty,' the forest official said.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Time of India
Power disconnection stayed, flats get time to install STPs
Kochi: Apartment complexes that were served disconnection notices by Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) for failing to install sewage treatment plants (STPs) received temporary relief, as pollution control board (PCB) decided to grant them more time to comply. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The decision follows a directive from high court, offering a breather to the affected residential buildings. KSEB issued disconnection notices to 71 residential apartment complexes across the city for failing to install STPs in compliance with PCB guidelines. The decision, which threatened to cut off electricity to over 1,500 households within a week, sparked widespread concern among residents. When high court considered the suo motu case regarding the pollution of Thevara – Perandoor Canal, it also took into account the impleading petitions filed by different associations of affected apartment complexes and asked PCB to consider granting the petitioners reasonable time. "Considering the main purpose of initiating suo motu petition is to address the environmental hazards caused by the accumulation of filth and garbage in the canal, as regards the grievance of the applicant noticees concerning the short time given by pollution control board for compliance, we direct that if an undertaking (along with resolutions in case of companies/societies) is submitted by the noticees (even other than the applicants) seeking reasonable time for compliance, the pollution control board will consider granting such reasonable time, provided the undertaking expresses a genuine intention of compliance," said the court order. In the backdrop of the court order, the Consortium of Flat and Villa Owners Association, Kerala will convene a meeting of the affected families residing in 71 apartment complexes soon and each family will approach PCB with an affidavit or seek time for installing STPs. "Only three or four affected parties approached court. But the order is applicable to all. So, we have decided to approach PCB seeking extension of time. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Each apartment association can demand time as per their requirement. We will coordinate the activities," said Saju Abraham, chairman of the consortium. A senior official of KSPCB told TOI that they decided to accept undertakings from affected parties and KSPCB would grant proper time after examining conditions given in the undertakings. HC will consider the case at the next hearing on Sept 11, and the consortium is planning to sort out the issues by submitting the undertakings to PCB before the date. T J Vinod, MLA, strongly criticised KSEB, PCB and the municipality for issuing the notice. He said that he would bring the issue to the notice of chief minister. "PCB does not even have a list of approved agencies to establish STPs. Some flats received notice last month and are in the process of setting up sewage treatment systems, which could take up to 12 months to complete," said the MLA. All the flats that received the notice were built when these regulations were not in place. The municipality's action of leaving these residents, who trusted the occupancy certificate provided by the municipality and started living in the flats, was unacceptable, stated the MLA.
