Ganesh mandals can apply for permit online

Mumbai: Ganesh mandal members  held a meeting with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Sahyadri guesthouse during which it was decided that the process to apply for permission will now be similar to applying for a passport.

“There will be no need for  anyone to visit any office,” Mr Fadnavis said.

“A new system will be introduced for the registration of public festivals and charitable institutions. The government will decide on the suggestions of the public Ganesh festival coordination committee and Ganeshotsava Mahasangh,” he added.

The upcoming Ganesh festival was discussed with regards to parameters such as safety and security and traffic management, among others.

The CM directed officials to prepare an appropriate plan for law and order situations. The police would keep an eye on processions and routes via security drones.

Mr Fadnavis also suggested that loudspeakers be allowed up to 12.00 am during the festival. However, he added that the form of Ganeshotsav remain enthusiastic and efforts be made collectively for peaceful celebration. Meanwhile, the guar-dian minister of Pune district, Chandrakant Patil, said that the police would impart training to the representatives of mandals on using loudspeakers as per the Supreme Court guidelines.

He said that the festival would be celebrated in keeping with rules. The guardian minister of Pune district said that the apex court had given directions on the use of loudspeakers and everyone needed to follow them.

In 2016, the high court ruled that living peacefully was the fundamental right of every citizen and that anyone who infringed this right was liable for criminal action, and anyone who suffered due to noise pollution was liable for compensation.