Total ban imposed by Karnataka Govt. on use of plaster of Paris (PoP)

Stringent action will be taken against sculptors making idols from PoP ! – Warning by Commissioner

Governments in other States should impose similar ban on sculptors as is done by Karnataka Govt. for preparing idols from PoP and emphasize the need for celebrating Ganesh festival in ideal manner !

Belgaum : Total ban has been imposed in Karnataka State on use of plaster of paris (PoP) and on use of colours causing pollution for making idols. Office bearers of sculptors’ association from Belgaum called on Municipal Commissioner Shri. Shashidhar Kurer and explained to him about their problems; but Shri. Kurer advised them against use of PoP in any case and warned that action would be taken against such sculptors who violated rules and regulations stipulated by Pollution Control Board and even shutting down factory of such sculptor, if necessary.

Ganesh festival is celebrated with lot of pomp in Belgaum and about 2 lakh Ganesh idols are installed in city and surrounding areas every year. There are more than 350 public Ganesh Festival Committees.

Sculptors have lot of problems since clay is not made available to them and therefore, PoP should be allowed for few more years till an alternate is not found to clay, was the demand made by office bearers of sculptors’ association through a representation with Municipal Commissioner Kurer. (The Govt. should take necessary steps and make available clay for making idols is the expectation ! – Editor, Dainik Sanatan Prabhat)

Decision banning PoP is as per the decision of the Government !

Shri. Kurer read out to sculptors, order issued by the Government. He said, “Nobody should make idol of Shri Ganesh or any other idol from PoP as per the Government’s order. Total ban has been imposed on immersion of idols made with PoP. As per the Government’s order, local ‘Swarajya Sanstha’ should make arrangements for immersion of the idols underground, at one place only. (As per the science, an idol needs to be immersed in flowing water. Karnataka Govt. needs to learn about the science ! – Editor, Dainik Sanatan Prabhat) All public festival committees will also be apprised of such decision. Police Department, State Road Transport Corporation and Octroi check posts would be informed.”

Sculptors will have to make idols of maximum 4 and half feet height !

Sculptors from city and other areas will have to now make idols from clay or ‘Gokak’ soil and this decision will require all festival committees to get idols made of maximum 4 to 4-1/2 feet height, was the opinion expressed by few sculptors.

Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat