High court grants Maharashtra govt three weeks more to frame policy for immersion of PoP idols
Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne passed the direction after advocate general Birendra Saraf sought "some more time to come out with a crystallised policy".
On June 9, the HC had directed the state govt to take a policy decision regarding immersion of PoP idols following the May 21 recommendations of an expert committee of the Central Pollution Control Board. The committee said manufacture of PoP idols is not prohibited, but they cannot be immersed in natural water bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and the sea. Hence, HC lifted the ban on making of PoP idols but directed these cannot be immersed without the leave of the court.
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Saraf said that thereafter there was a meeting held by the chief minister with various departments, along with the municipal commissioner. As he sought three weeks' time, the judges deferred the hearing to July 23.
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