Maharashtra chief minister says govt will take steps to increase number of loudspeaker days for Ganeshotsav

Mumbai: The state govt will take steps to increase the number of days when loudspeakers can be used during the Ganesh festival, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured Ganesh mandals. He said the move would be within the limits set by the courts.Fadnavis exhorted Sarvajanik Ganesh mandals to create awareness about India's strength showcased to the world through Operation Sindoor and promote the use of indigenous products. This was discussed at a meeting held at the Sahyadri guest house on Wednesday to review the law and order preparedness for the ten-day state festival.Fadnavis directed that idol makers must be granted five-year permissions, which the artisans must renew every year through the single-window system introduced by the municipal corporation to process these applications. He instructed civic officials to increase the number of artificial ponds for idol immersions and the number of boats to ferry tall idols to the deep sea for immersion."All concessions given to Ganesh festival committees will be continued this year as well," he said, urging mandals to follow the law while celebrating the festival. He pointed out that Eid-e-Milad also falls during the Ganesh festival period, and care should be taken to maintain religious harmony.In another important decision, Ganesh festival committees who submit a written statement to the administration that their offices are not used for commercial purposes will not have property tax levied on such offices.The meeting was attended by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, Mumbai suburban guardian minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Iqbal Singh Chahal, additional chief secretary (home), Rashmi Shukla, state director general of police, Deven Bharati, Mumbai police commissioner, BMC municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, principal secretary (Special) Anup Kumar Singh, and Ganesh Dahibavar, president, Sarvajanik Ganesh Festival Coordination Committee. Commissioners of various municipal corporations attended the meeting through video conference.

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