Blanket ban on ‘unauthorised use’ of loudspeakers at religious places
| Date :14-Dec-2023 |
By Bhavana ‘Aparajita’
Shukla
Soon after assuming charge as Chief Minister, Dr Mohan Yadav has announced to put a blanket ban on ‘unauthorised use’ of loudspeakers and disc jockey (DJ) at religious sites and other public places. This, decision has according to him, has been done in view of the High Court orders. The press conference began late from its scheduled time for which CM expressed apology to the media. Addressing a press conference soon after the maiden meeting with officials and Cabinet colleagues, the Chief Minister said that there will be a total ban on the use of loudspeaker and other noise pollutants, if they cross the permissible limit of prescribed limit of sound. The Chief Minister has also issued orders to form flying squads in all districts to monitor such loudspeakers and other noise polluting sources. The monitoring will be done in accordance with orders and guidelines issued by the Supreme Court and High Courts. The flying squad will submit its report within three days to superior officers and they will take action against unauthorised use of loudspeakers and other similar sources under the provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Noise Pollution Control Act, 2000, and the directions issued from time to time by the Supreme Court and the High Court regarding use of loudspeakers on religious places and other places.
Dr Yadav further said that regular and surprise inspections will be carried out in all districts on religious and public places where sound amplifiers are used. The officers nominated by the district administration, station in-charge of the concerned police station and the officer nominated by the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board will be members of the flying squad. The nodal officer will be an officer of the Additional District Magistrate level, who will be nominated by the district collector. He said the government is in talks with heads of religious places management and a list of such religious places will be prepared where norms are violated frequently. In another decision, Dr Yadav said the collection rate against tendu patta (leaves) sack has been raised from Rs 3,000 per bag to Rs 4,000. The collection rate was Rs 2,500 per standard sack till the year 2021.
Madhya Pradesh is one of the largest tendu patta producing states in India where collection is done through District Forest Produce Co-operative Unions and Primary Forest Produce Co-operative Societies in the State. At present there are more than 45 lakh tendu leaf collectors in the State. Of these, more than 50 per cent belong to the tribal category. Similarly, 40 per cent are women collectors. The collection and sale of tendu leaves, which falls under non-timber forest products (NTFPs) category, forms a significant part of the livelihoods of forest-fringe communities. The leaf of tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon), which is used to roll beedis (Indian cigarettes).
In another decision, Dr Yadav said that his Government will make nomination process of plot and other land simplified by clubbing it with registration process of the property. The government would come up with a proper process so that commoners should not run from pillar to the post. Also the Chief Minister said the State Government would come up with college of excellence in each of the 52 districts of the state. Also, he said, there will be Digilocker facility to students so that they can keep their documents and other academic record safely. Strict implement of selling of eggs and meat in open will take place. Now, in State it will not be easy for habitual criminals to get bail. As Yadav-led State Government is going to be strict against such culprits.