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Synopsis

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday issued notice in the Public Interest Litigation seeking the implementation of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines, which ban the immersion of idols made from Plaster of Paris (POP).

The division bench of the high court, comprising Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyay and Justice Amit Borkar, was hearing the PIL filed by three citizens and nine clay-based craftsmen, which sought the implementation of these guidelines.

Advocate Ronita Bhattacharya, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that despite the CPCB ban in 2020, the state was delaying implementation to appease the manufacturers.

She informed the bench that the Nagpur Bench had taken suo motu cognizance of the issue, but the court's directions had not been complied with.

The petition seeks directions to form a district-level committee for implementing CPCB guidelines and taking action against manufacturers using POP.

Advocate Tushad Kakalia, appearing for the Vanshakti NGO, informed the bench that last year, the court issued directions to avoid immersing idols in Aarey Colony Lake, as it is an eco-sensitive zone. He sought the continuation of these directions for the 2024 Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

The bench directed BMC and state to file it's reply within 3 weeks and listed the matter for hearing on August 28.