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The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Administration begins cracking the whip on PoP idols in Dharwad district
Ahead of the Ganesh festival, the Dharwad district administration has cracked the whip on manufacturers and sellers of Ganesh idols made of PoP (Plaster of Paris) with a large number of PoP idols being seized at Garag village in Dharwad taluk earlier this week. Deputy Commissioner Divya Prabhu G.R.J., who spoke to presspersons after verifying the seized lot of PoP idols at Kalabhavan Ground in Dharwad, said that she has directed the officials to register a criminal case against those who had illegally stored the banned PoP idols. The Deputy Commissioner said that as check-posts are being set up on the inter-district borders and in the city limits, some people have begun procuring PoP idols in advance and storing them in mofussil areas and on the outskirts of the city. So, authorities have been directed to look out for such storage facilities and seize the idols, she said. She said that the seizure of 184 PoP idols was made at Garag village following a tip-off by the general public. A task force comprising officials of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Revenue Department, Gram Panchayat and Police was constituted to carry out the raid and seize the idols, she said. During the raid, the task force members found that Vinayak Kalappa Pattar of Garag village had procured and stored the 184 PoP idols of various sizes and work on giving the final touch and painting was under way. The idols were stored at two locations, one in Shivoji Extension and the other at Sangolli Rayanna Extension. The accused is a wholesale and retail seller of idols. The Deputy Commissioner said that during enquiry, the accused revealed that all the idols were procured from Kolhapur in Maharashtra and the Superintendent of Police has been asked to take up investigation and take the requisite action. The seized PoP idols have now been stored at Kalabhavan in Dharwad and the plan is to dispose them of as per rules. Senior officer of KSPCB Jagadish I.H., Panchayat Development Officer Shashidhar Gandhad, municipal officer Gangadhar Manakattimath, Garag Sub-Inspector of Police Sidrama Unnad and others were present. Appeal Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner has appealed to the general public and Ganesh mandals to use only Ganesh idols made of mud as they are environment-friendly and also considered ideal for worshipping. She said that PoP idols are a hazard to nature as they do not get dissolved in water and also, contaminate waterbodies. People should outrightly reject PoP idols in their own interest, she said. Task forces The Deputy Commissioner also said that as the Ganesh festival is fast approaching, coordination committee meetings of various departments are being held and village, taluk and district-level task forces are being made active. Along with directions for conducting awareness programmes, authorities have been directed to conduct raids and seize banned PoP idols.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Criminal case to be filed against dealer of PoP Ganesha idols
Dharwad: Officials from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and the revenue department raided a workshop at Garag village in Dharwad taluk on Monday evening and seized 184 Ganesha idols made using plaster of Paris (PoP). The making of Ganesha idols using PoP and their installation has been banned on environmental grounds, and the district administration has kept a watch on those who make PoP idols. Deputy commissioner Divya Prabhu stated that directions have been issued to file a criminal case against the owner under the Environmental Pollution Control Act. You Can Also Check: Hubballi AQI | Weather in Hubballi | Bank Holidays in Hubballi | Public Holidays in Hubballi After getting a tip-off, a special team comprising personnel from the Pollution Control Board, revenue department, gram panchayat, and police department raided the workshop owned by one Vinayak Kalappa Pattar and seized the idols that were painted using chemicals, the DC said. During the raid, around 184 PoP Ganesha idols, large, medium, and small-sized, were found being prepared and painted with chemical coats at the premises owned by Vinayak Kalappa Pattaar in Garag village. The team seized 75 idols in Shivaji Colony and 109 idols in Sangolli Rayanna Colony. It has come to light that Pattaar is a wholesale and retail dealer of POP idols. He reportedly admitted during the inquiry that the idols were brought from Kolhapur in Maharashtra. The district police superintendent has been instructed to conduct a detailed investigation, register a case, and initiate legal action. The seized POP idols were transported in a truck, a tipper, and a tractor to Kalabhavan for safe storage. The DC said further action will be taken according to the rules in the coming days. DC appeals to use clay Ganeshas Clay Ganesha idols are eco-friendly and ideal for worship. For the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi , the public and festival committees are urged to use clay idols instead of POP idols, said DC Divya. POP idols do not dissolve in water and cause pollution to soil, water, and water sources, she added. Task forces activated With the Ganesha festival approaching, inter-departmental coordination meetings have been held, and task forces at the district, taluk, and village levels are being activated. Prohibited POP idols found through public information, surprise inspections, and raids will be seized. The DC also said that officials have been directed to begin public awareness campaigns from now on.
Hans India
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Govt issues two ‘green' orders, one on regulation of single-use water bottles
Bengaluru: Marking the occasion of World Environment Day, the Government of Karnataka has issued two significant orders aimed at protecting the environment. Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah officially unveiled these initiatives during the state-level celebrations organized by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. The first order pertains to the scientific disposal and regulation of single-use plastic water bottles. In accordance with the directive of Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre, the government has mandated the formation of district-level monitoring committees under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioners across all districts of the state. These committees will include the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat, the Superintendent of Police, the Deputy Director of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, and officials from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. The committees are tasked with convening quarterly meetings to monitor and regulate the production, sale, and use of PET water bottles within each district. They will also raise public awareness about the harmful environmental effects of plastic waste and oversee its scientific disposal. The decision follows a directive issued by Minister Eshwar Khandre on March 21, 2025, urging the enforcement of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) among mineral water manufacturers and bottle producers. The second order, also unveiled by the Chief Minister, focuses on the protection of roadside trees. In response to increasing incidents of tree falls during monsoons due to the encasement of roots in concrete and asphalt, the government has ordered the removal of concrete, asphalt, and slabs within a one-meter radius around trees planted along roadsides. This measure is expected to allow tree roots to grow deeper and stronger, reducing the risk of uprooting and associated accidents. This directive aligns with the verdict of the National Green Tribunal and follows a recommendation submitted by Minister Eshwar Khandre to the Additional Chief Secretary on May 22, 2025. Environmentalists and tree conservationists across the state have welcomed the move, praising the government's commitment to sustainable urban forestry. The theme of this year's World Environment Day — 'Beat Plastic Pollution' — finds meaningful expression through these proactive measures. By releasing these two critical orders, the Government of Karnataka has reaffirmed its dedication to environmental sustainability and public welfare.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
District-level panels to monitor use of plastic water bottles in Karnataka
Bengaluru: In order to tackle growing plastic pollution across the state, the govt Tuesday ordered the formation of high-level committees in every district to monitor the handling and disposal of discarded single-use plastic water bottles. The announcement, which coincided with the govt's World Environment Day celebration, came from chief minister Siddaramaiah. The district-level committees to be headed by deputy commissioners will include CEOs of zilla panchayats, superintendents of police and deputy directors of food and civil supplies department. They will be tasked with tracking the sale of plastic bottles, ensuring their scientific disposal and raising public awareness. They will meet once in every three months to review progress and share enforcement data with Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB). Marking the day's theme — Beat plastic pollution — Siddaramaiah said: "It is a difficult job, but we must do it. Bengaluru alone generates 900 tonnes of garbage every day. If we are keen to safeguard the environment, we must discontinue usage of plastic and find suitable alternatives." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AC Installation & Repair from Certified Pros Search7 Learn More Undo Environment minister Eshwar Khandre said the move to regulate plastic water bottles is necessary. "We must first focus on scientific disposal of discarded plastic water bottles." The initiative is the latest in a series of measures aimed at improving management of plastic waste in the state. A month ago, Khandre directed the additional chief secretary of his department to ensure mandatory enforcement of extended producer responsibility (EPR) on manufacturers of plastic water bottles across districts. Under EPR mandate, manufacturers are expected to take responsibility for end-of-life collection and processing of their products. Khandre urged bottle manufacturers to adopt a buy-back model — purchasing used bottles from consumers while selling new ones. In a further incentive to encourage plastic bottle returns, KSPCB chairperson PM Narendraswamy announced that shredding machines would be installed within urban local body limits, offering users a refund of Re 1 for each discarded bottle returned. Meanwhile, a random survey conducted recently by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in Bengaluru found that several brands of bottled water being sold in local markets were of substandard quality. This has raised additional concerns about the need for stricter monitoring of bottled water production and distribution in the state.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Won't tolerate threats of PIL by garbage mafia, says Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar Tuesday issued a stern warning to garbage contractors attempting to stall the govt's fresh tendering process for solid waste management in the city. His statement comes in the wake of a stay granted by the high court on the rollout of new garbage tenders — a move the govt had initiated to overhaul Bengaluru's solid waste management system. Reacting to the stay order, Shivakumar accused contractors of resorting to intimidation tactics, including the misuse of PIL petitions, and warned that the govt wouldn't yield under pressure. Speaking on the sidelines of a walkathon organised by the department of environment and ecology and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Shivakumar said: "Regardless of the work the govt takes up, some groups are constantly resorting to intimidation tactics by filing PIL or obtaining stay orders from courts just to threaten the govt. We won't tolerate this, and such tactics won't work." Questioning the motives of the contractors who challenged the new tenders, Shivakumar asked if the govt wasn't supposed to clean Bengaluru. When asked specifically about the court's interim order, he responded: "I'll look into it." Describing the network of existing garbage contractors in Bengaluru as a "mafia", he said: "Previously, there were 89 tenders. All those who bagged these tenders have formed a group. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 40+ Say This Wrinkle Serum "Really Delivered' (Shocking Results) The Skincare Magazine Undo This is nothing but a mafia. They think they can mislead us. But we'll expose them and apprise the court about their actions. We'll mercilessly remove those trying to obstruct us and provide opportunities to new players to develop Bengaluru," he said. This isn't the first time Shivakumar has levelled allegations against garbage contractors. During the budget session of the state legislature in March, he had alleged that a cartel of contractors had formed with the objective of undermining the govt's efforts. He had also expressed disappointment that certain legislators were supporting these groups, suggesting a pattern of collusion and blackmail. The govt's push for fresh tenders is part of a larger effort to streamline and modernise waste management, which has long struggled with inefficient garbage collection and disposal systems. However, the process has faced repeated legal and logistical hurdles, many of which the govt now attributes to entrenched interests.
