The state government has also decided to ban the open sale of meat, fish and eggs.
Team Clarion
BHOPAL — In his first order after taking over as the new chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav on Wednesday ordered restrictions on the use of loudspeakers/DJs at religious gatherings and public places. The order said loudspeakers across the state cannot blare at a volume exceeding the prescribed limits.
“Use of loudspeakers and other sound amplifying devices at loud volumes without permission is completely prohibited,” said an order issued by the state’s home department.
After the first Cabinet meeting, Yadav also announced a ban on the open sale of meat, fish and eggs.
“After the implementation of food safety rules, guidelines have been issued by the Government of India on the sale of meat and fish in the open. They will be strictly followed,” Yadav at a press conference in the state capital.
He said a campaign involving the food department, police, and local urban bodies, will be launched to enforce the ban on the open sale of meat and fish from December 15 to 31.
On the restricted use of loudspeakers, the government’s order said: “In accordance with the provisions of the Noise Control Act, Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 and the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court and the high court, it has been decided by the chief minister that loudspeakers/DJ etc., can be used only as per the prescribed norms at any type of religious place or in public places.
In industrial areas, the maximum volume limit is 75 DB during the day and 70 DB at night. In commercial areas, it is 65 DB during the day and 55 DB at night. In residential areas, 55 DB during the day and 45 DB at night and in the silence zones, it is 50 DB during the day and 40 DB at night.
The state government has also decided to form flying squads in all the districts to check noise pollution and illegal use of loudspeakers etc, the order read.
Flying squads will regularly and randomly inspect religious and public places where loudspeakers are used, and in case of violation of rules and conduct, they will investigate the matter within a maximum of three days and submit the report to the administration, said Rajesh Rajora, additional chief secretary, home department.
He said that the government will make efforts to remove loudspeakers on the basis of communication and coordination with religious leaders, and a list will be made of such religious places where the above rules/instructions are not being followed and it will be reviewed weekly at the district level.
A compliance report will be submitted by December 31.
Additional director general of police, crime research department, has been appointed as the nodal officer for continuous monitoring of noise pollution cases, stated the order.
