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Bombay HC Issues Notice To State On Plea For Enforcing CPCB’s Ban On Plaster Of Paris Idols

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Bombay HC Issues Notice To State On Plea For Enforcing CPCB's Ban On Plaster Of Paris Idols

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the State government on a plea seeking implementation of the revised guidelines by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) which mandates a complete ban on the use of Plaster of Paris (PoP) for religious idols to be immersed in water.

The CPCB had issued “Revised Guidelines for Idol Immersion” on May 12, 2020 mandating the complete ban on use of PoP “due to the extreme and irreparable water pollution caused by the immersion of these idols in natural water bodies”.

A bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar issued the notice while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition, filed by three citizens and nine clay-based and small scale craftsman of idols, contending that the actions undertaken by the Respondent Authorities to enforce the Guidelines are “farcical measures designed only to pay lip-service to the provisions of the Guidelines”.

Petitioners’ advocate Ronita Bhattacharya submitted that despite the CPCB ban in 2020, which was to come into effect in 2021, the state is dilly dallying in its implementation to appease manufacturers of PoP idols. Even the Supreme Court had categorically said that manufacture of PoP idols and its immersion in water cannot be permitted.

“Despite this, it is not being effectively implemented in Maharashtra. The ban should be made mandatory under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, which invites penal provisions if not followed,” Bhattacharya said.

The Act requires registration of non-PoP idol makers and the list has to be published so people are aware of the same. However, no steps have been taken in the regard. The CPCB recommended using eco-friendly idols made of natural clay and biodegradable materials to mitigate these harms. Hence, there is a need to publish a list of idol makers using eco-friendly material.

Bhattacharya pointed out to the court that the Nagpur bench of the HC had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance of the issue two years back and had issued several directions for implementation of the ban, but directions have not been compiled with.

The Nagpur bench had formed a technical committee to oversee the implementation of the ban. However, the committee has taken upon itself to examine the manner in which the pollution caused by the PoP idols can be mitigated. Also, the minutes of the meeting conducted by the committee reflects that the committee contemplated getting experts’ opinions on the validity of the CPCB ban. “This is ridiculous, as there can be no PoP at all,” Bhattacharya added.

The plea seeks formation of a district level committees for regular checks to ensure effective implementation of the revised CPCB guidelines. Also, action should be taken against idol makers who continue using PoP.

Advocate Tushad Kakalia, appearing for NGO Vanashakti, pointed out that the high court had last year issued a series of directions to ensure no PoP idols were immersed in the natural lake inside the suburban Aarey Milk Colony, which is an eco-sensitive zone.

The court had expanded the scope of the petition to ensure adherence to CPCB guidelines. The NGO has again moved an application for continuation of the directions during the coming Ganesh festival.

The HC has clubbed both the PILs and kept them for hearing in August.

Why idol makers continue using PoP –

PoP for the making of idols is commercially more viable than using clay.

PoP is a cheap material that is easy to use, and keeps the cost of operations low and the margin of profits on making idols high.

Clay suitable for idols is not easy to obtain, is a time consuming material to mould and perfect, and requires a higher degree of skill to manoeuvre.

Disadvantages of PoP –

Has several harmful effects on the environment Including water pollution, soil pollution, damage to the marine ecosystem, waste generation, and environmental degradation.

PoP idols do not dissolve easily in water, leading to the accumulation of non-biodegradable materials and disrupting the aquatic ecosystem.

When immersed in soil, PoP idols release harmful chemicals and heavy metals, contaminating the soil and affecting its fertility.

PoP idols contain chemicals such as Gypsum, Sulphur, Phosphorus, and Magnesium. Chemical paints used for colouring idols may contain Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic, Lead, and Carbon, which are harmful to the nervous system and kidneys.

These heavy chemicals have bio-accumulative properties and can enter the food cycle through aquatic creatures like fish, ultimately affecting human consumption.

Non-biodegradable materials like plastics and thermocol used in idol decoration pose a threat to terrestrial and aquatic environments when immersed in water bodies.

Crime

Mumbai Shocker! Man Shot, Stabbed To Death In Kurla; 3 Arrested

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Mumbai: A shocking incident has come to light from Mumbai’s Kurla, where a man was shot and stabbed to death. According to the Mumbai Police, three accused have been arrested in the case.

the incident took place on April 29 at around 10 pm near Pipeline Block No. 3 in Kurla’s V B Nagar. The deceased, identified as Baba Pawar, was shot by one person while two others stabbed him.

After the information was received, Pawar was rushed to Bhabha Hospital for treatment. However, he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.

A case was registered at V B Nagar police station under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Arms Act for murder and other offences. Later, it was reported that the police arrested all the three accused involved in the crime. Currently, further investigation is underway to determine the circumstances and motive behind the gruesome killing.

Meanwhile, in another recent incident, a man allegedly stabbed a shopkeeper five to six times after thinking that he and his brother were laughing at him. The incident occurred in Agripada’s Baby Garden area, where two brothers were chatting and laughing over something in their shop.

When the accused arrived at the shop, he thought the two brothers were laughing and mocking him and in a sudden outburst, Mansuri pulled out a knife and attacked one of the brothers multiple times. 

Prior to this, another stabbing incident took place in Mira Road’s Naya Nagar, where a 31-year-old man, Zaib Zubair Ansari, attacked two security guards after being questioned about their religion. The attack took place near Asmita Grand Mansion in Mira Road East, where two security guards were on duty when Ansari approached them, initially asking for directions to a nearby mosque. Later, Ansari questioned one of the guards about his religion before attacking him with a knife. He then entered the security cabin and allegedly asked the second guard to recite the ‘Kalma’.

Ansari was arrested within hours after police reviewed CCTV footage. He was later produced before a Thane district court, which remanded him to police custody until May 4.

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Maharashtra

Marathi language requirement: Senior drivers should be given concessions for their language skills, no one’s permit should be cancelled immediately on the basis of language: Abu Asim

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has requested Transport Minister Pratap Sarmaik to provide relaxation to rickshaw and taxi drivers in the matter of Marathi language mandatory from May 1 and give them time to learn Marathi. In a letter, Azmi said that the new Marathi mandatory law will come into effect from May 1, 2026. This has created a wave of concern among rickshaw and taxi drivers, especially the elderly. The purpose of any law is reformative, but it should not take away anyone’s livelihood. Maharashtra is a state that provides employment to citizens across the country, and this is the real identity of our state. Many drivers who have settled here from other states have received education in their mother tongue, so we cannot deny the fact that they need time to learn Marathi. From a scientific point of view, it becomes difficult to learn a new language after the age of 45 to 50. Therefore, I demand that this rule be restricted to the youth between the ages of 18 and 45 and that experienced and senior drivers be completely exempted from it. For such drivers who are the sole breadwinners of their families, the government should appoint a special officer and give them an extension of at least two years so that their livelihood is not disrupted. Moreover, the language test format should be simplified and made online, with drivers getting at least four chances every year. It would be unfair to cancel permits just because of language. Another important point is that there is no such strictness on the use of Marathi in the corporate sector, as this sector is considered a major source of income for the state. However, we should not forget that rickshaw and taxi drivers are also an important part of the state’s economy. They serve the public from morning till late at night. When big corporate houses can get relaxation and flexibility in language regulations, why burden these low-income drivers, who toil all day in the sun and rain, with strict regulations? Justice should be equal for all. Therefore, instead of imposing regulations, the government should set up free training centers at the ward level. We should understand that if thousands of drivers become unemployed, the possibility of an increase in crime due to economic hardship in the society cannot be ruled out. According to Article 21 of the Constitution of India, every citizen has the right to live with dignity and earn his livelihood. The Supreme Court has also clarified in the Olga Telles vs. Bombay Municipal Corporation case that the right to livelihood is an integral part of the right to life. Therefore, cancelling someone’s permit just because they do not know the language would be a violation of the Supreme Court’s decision. Azmi requested Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik to consider this principle not as a mere political issue but as an educational and social campaign to maintain the inclusive tradition of Maharashtra by giving adequate time to drivers from migrant migrant states to learn Marathi and by giving appropriate concessions to senior citizens.

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Maharashtra

Bhiwandi Samadia School road in dilapidated condition, Eknath Shinde assures of resolution of public issues and redressal of complaints

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi met the Deputy Chief Minister of the state Eknath Shinde and gave him a memorandum and demanded the completion of the project related to public interest and to take necessary steps regarding the problems and development projects of Bhiwandi. He gave details of the problems faced by the people of Bhiwandi and demanded their solution. Azmi said that the main road from Samadia Bagh to Samadia School is completely dilapidated and only potholes and mud tracks are visible on the road. More than 1,000 children are studying in Samadia School, due to which the students, their parents and passers-by are facing a lot of problems. Keeping in mind the rainy season, Azmi requested that all the work be completed before the rains to avoid mud and accidents. He said that the VP Stadium of Bhiwandi West is a big stadium for local players and senior citizens, but today it is also in a dilapidated condition. The condition of the ground is very poor, the jogging track is broken, and during the rains it becomes difficult to practice due to waterlogging. Therefore, the Sports Department should be directed to immediately provide necessary funds for the reconstruction and repair of the stadium, so that the youth can get better sports facilities. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has assured positive steps on public interest issues.

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