Nagpur HC Extends Deadline for NMC’s Revised Policy on POP Idols
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The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has granted an extension for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to submit its revised policy regarding the use of Plaster of Paris (POP) idols for the Ganeshotsav festival. The extension follows the NMC's failure to provide the required information during a court hearing on Monday.
Justice Nitin Sambare and Justice Abhay Mantri, who are overseeing the case, have rescheduled the hearing to Tuesday, September 3. The original deadline was set for September 2 during a previous hearing on August 28.
The High Court had previously instructed the NMC to develop and enforce stringent guidelines to regulate the use of POP idols due to their environmental impact. The court emphasized the need for clear conditions in the permissions granted to Ganeshotsav mandals, along with strict penal actions for non-compliance.
In its 2020 guidelines, the Central Pollution Control Board highlighted concerns about POP idols and urged state governments and municipal corporations to enforce stricter regulations. The High Court noted that the current permissions did not adequately address these guidelines.
The NMC was required to collaborate with senior police officials to prepare a detailed policy and submit it by the initial deadline. The failure to meet this deadline has resulted in a one-day extension for the NMC to fulfill the court's requirements.
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