Panaji, Goa – For the past few years, the Goa Government has imposed a ban on the import and sale of Plaster of Paris (PoP) Shri Ganesh idols. Despite this, PoP idols were being brought into Goa from other states and sold until last year, in blatant violation of the ban.
To make Goa free from PoP Shri Ganesh idols, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) submitted a memorandum to the District Collector of North Goa, Ankit Yadav, demanding that the government enforce this ban effectively and immediately.
On this occasion, a delegation of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti comprising Anita Naik, Mansi Chopdekar, and Rukmini Raikar was present.
Responding positively to the demand, District Collector Ankit Yadav assured that necessary measures would be taken to prevent the import of Plaster of Paris Lord Ganesh idols into Goa. He also stated that action would be taken if the sale of PoP Shri Ganesh idols is detected within Goa.
A similar memorandum was also submitted by the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti to the Deputy Collector of Pernem taluka.
Key demands for eco-friendly celebrations
In the memorandum submitted by the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, demands were also made to promote eco-friendly Shri Ganesh idols, implement a special scheme to encourage artisans making idols out of Shadu (natural clay), and arrange appropriate facilities for the immersion of idols in running water following the Ganeshotsav festival.
Furthermore, a demand was made to constitute a dedicated Task Force comprising the Environment Department, State Pollution Control Board, Excise Department, Commercial Taxes Department, and the Police Department to monitor and control the import and sale of Plaster of Paris Ganesh idols in the state.
