a day ago
CCB to feed pilgrims during Ganesha Chaturthi
City corporation of Belagavi plans to provide food to devotees who visit the city during Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan told reporters in Belagavi on Saturday that the modalities were being worked out.
'CCB commissioner B. Subha has proposed this idea of a 'Maha Prasad' to visitors. This is because most visitors find it hard to find refreshments in the city especially at night. The CCB is yet to finalise its budget, but an estimated 50,000- 70,000 persons would be given food at least one time in a day. They are focussing on providing meals at night,'' he said. They would take a decision about the venue and timing, after discussing with police officers, the Deputy Commissioner said.
He said over 1,000 idols were expected to be installed in the city this time. 'Officers of revenue, city corporation, police and health and other departments would work jointly to make all preparations to ensure the festival was conducted smoothly,' he said.
'The number of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols has come down this year. But in the light of various court judgments and government rules, it is necessary to bring it down to zero. We hope to do it in the coming years,' the Deputy Commissioner said in response to a query.
Earlier, at a meeting of Ganesha mandals, he appealed to all members to cooperate to celebrate the festival with peace and harmony.
'Belagavi district is at the forefront in the grand celebration of Ganesha festival. Like all years, let us join hands to celebrate the festival in a grand manner,' he said. 'Precautions should be taken to ensure that illegal activities do not take place under the pretext of celebrating the Ganesha festival. It is necessary to install clay idols of Ganesha so that the environment is not damaged, and it is mandatory to obtain permission before installing the idols,' he said.
The departments should coordinate with the city corporation to remove dangerous plants, trees, electric wires and cables from the immersion route so that they do not cause inconvenience during the Ganesha immersion procession. He instructed the Fire and emergency Department officers to be ready to work twenty-four hours a day during the Ganesha festival and asked Hescom to deploy personnel in all the Ganesha mantaps of the city.
'The use of fireworks is strictly prohibited during the Ganesha immersion. Permission is mandatory for installing banners and buntings. Skilled swimmers should be appointed at the Ganesha immersion sites. He also instructed the municipal corporation officials to arrange mobile toilets and clean drinking water for the convenience of the public arriving for the Ganesha festival. He said that the departments should take full responsibility for the Ganesha festival. The complaints of all department officials should be responded to immediately,' Mr. Roshan said.
Police Commissioner Bhushan Gulbarao Bhorase said all mandals had to follow some rules in installing idols. He said strict action would be taken against those who violated the guidelines in the installation of disco jockey music systems. As per the order of the Supreme Court, the use of loudspeakers is prohibited after 10 p.m. There are more than 64 small and big hospitals on the roads where the idols move during the Ganesha immersion. mandals should stick to the time limits for the procession so as not to cause inconvenience to patients.
He said that the Police Department will take immediate action to resolve the problems within 48 hours of receiving complaints from the city regarding the department.
The commissioner said Ganesha idols should not be too tall to prevent disasters. 'Entertainment programmes should be completed within the stipulated timing. Ganesha mandals should appoint volunteers who are present from the beginning to the end of the Ganesha immersion
If any riot or law and order disturbance is found during the Ganesha festival, action will be taken against such people without any hesitation, he said. 'Such conditions have already been laid out before giving permission to mandals,' he said.
Mandal office bearers asked officers to ensure that all the eight pits used for immersion be cleaned.
They sought facilities for the women and children who arrive in large numbers. They also appealed to keep hotels open till late at night and to make appropriate transport arrangements for the convenience of the public.
Additional Superintendent of Police R.B. Basaragi, Deputy Commissioner of Police Narayan Bharamani, and others were present.
