Loudspeakers: 3-day extension sought

Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samitee, the co-coordinating committee of the Ganesh mandals in the city and its suburbs, has demanded three more days of extended deadline for the use of loudspeaker during the 10-day celebration.

The committee’s contention is that three out of 15 days, allotted by the Supreme Court order in a year for use of loudspeakers, still lie unused in the city.

Committee members on Wednesday met chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, deputy chief minister RR Patil and other key officials over various issues, including that of law and order situation during the celebration.

“Fifth, 7th and 10th day of the Ganesh festival have been permitted with the extended deadline up to midnight for the use of loudspeaker.

We are demanding three more days which have not been allotted to any other festival. As per the Supreme Court order, State has the right to extend the deadline for 15 days for festivals various religions throughout the year,’ said president of the committee Pandurang Jadhav.

He said that the chief minister has assured them that some positive steps would be taken and has instructed the concerned department to take necessary action.

Other important issue discussed at the meeting was law and order maintenance during the festival. Deputy chief minister RR Patil informed the committee that various private security agencies are come forth to provide the security free of charge for the mandals.

“The committee should co-ordinate between the mandals and security agencies with the help of local police stations. This would be a great respite for the police force, which faces scarcity of the adequate personnel to be deployed during the festival,” Patil said.

While Jadhav claims that nearly 8,000 mandals in the city and suburbs celebrate Ganesh Festival, government official said that merely 450 mandals are registered.

“The mandals, with the help of security agencies, have been taking care of the security for last few years. Patil had a meeting with the security agencies, who assured the support during the Ganesh festival,” said an official from the home department.

Many security agencies have come forward with security support free of charge. “We have been providing security personnel and equipment to nearly 30 mandals, including big names like GSB in Wadala, free of charge. Mandals bear daily wages of the security personnel,” said Trig Chairman Swarn Salaria.