The Bombay High Court on Tuesday accused the Maharashtra government of delaying procurement of noise decibel meters intentionally. This, it said, made sure that noise pollution rules are not implemented during the ongoing Navratri and forthcoming Diwali festivals. The decibel meters should have been procured by October.
A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Amjad Sayed has summoned additional chief secretary (Home) KP Bakshi to court on October 17. Bakshi had earlier made a statement in the court that by October, 1,719 decibel meters would be procured. This was after every police station in the state had submitted their requirements. However, only 600 meters have been bought so far.
The government informed the court that it is the supplier who has delayed in delivering the consignment. The order, it added, would be complete in November. To this the court said: "Prima facie, it appears that there is gross breach of orders and also shows shocking state of affairs." It added that unless drastic steps are taken noise pollution rules of 2000 would not be implemented even by 2016.
In an order passed in August, the state government was asked to strictly implement noise pollution rules. The court had held that loudspeakers and public address systems are not to be allowed between 10pm to 6am, except on certain exceptional days as allowed by the government. The use of loudspeakers was banned in silence zones.
Furthermore, it was held that places of worship of all sects and religions are bound to follow the noise pollution rules; they cannot claim a fundamental right for using loudspeakers/public address systems. The government was also told to create awareness among school and college students about the adverse effects of noise pollution not only on human beings but also on animals.
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