Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has made a big announcement regarding loudspeakers at religious places. He said that if they violate the rules and make noise above the prescribed decibel limit, then the permission for loudspeakers installed at religious places will be canceled.
That is, if the loudspeakers make more noise, their permission will be canceled. CM Fadnavis said that the local police inspector (PI) will check whether loudspeakers are allowed at religious places or not. PI will also take action against those who break the rules. The CM also hinted at changing the law regarding loudspeakers in Maharashtra.
CM Fadnavis also said that from now on, permission to install loudspeakers will be given only temporarily, for a specific purpose, and not permanently. He has also given strict instructions to the police in this matter.
Fadnavis was responding to the attention motion raised by MLA Devyani Farade. The Chief Minister said that as per the Supreme Court order, it is necessary to take permission before installing loudspeakers at religious places. He said that loudspeakers will have to be kept off from 10 pm to 6 am.
The CM said that the noise limit should be 55 decibels during the day and 44 decibels at night between 6 pm and 10 pm. If loudspeakers are played at higher decibels, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has been empowered by the central law to take action against them.
Right now, there is a provision in the law that the police should take note of it and inform the Pollution Control Board. However, it seems that this is not being followed at present.
