Defying the ban on Plastic of Paris (PoP)-made idols of Lord Ganesh, office- bearers of various Ganesh mandals led by MLAs Sambhaji L. Patil and Sanjay B. Patil, and former MLA Abhay Patil took out a procession of PoP-made idols of the lord and staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Tuesday, demanding withdrawal of the ban.
It may be recalled here that the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board had already issued orders banning use of PoP for Ganesh idols. However, since there was delay in conveying the decision to the public and ganesh mandals, Deputy Commissioner N. Jayaram had temporarily allowed use of PoP idols last year on the condition that the ban would be strictly implement from 2017.
Also, the KSPCB declared afresh the ban and appealed to the public and mandals against using PoP made idols and switch over to eco-friendly idols made of clay as a measure against pollution.
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The MLAs and leaders of the mandals said that it was not possible to make big idols using clay, which was also not available in sufficient quantity. Therefore, the State government should withdraw the ban.
A memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner was also submitted in support of the demand.