NAGPUR, July 10, 2013: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) draft policy on idols made of plaster of paris (PoP) has triggered a huge debate. Not only green activists, but even some civic officials believe only a total ban on PoP idols can be an effective solution.

The civic body's drive to prevent immersion of PoP idols in water bodies last year had evoked a good response from citizens, who seem to want cleaner lakes. However, there was no effort on the part of PoP idol makers and sellers. This year's policy too does not expect anything from them, raising a big question on NMC's intentions.

According to NMC's data, around 90,000 idols were immersed in artificial tanks while total number of idols installed in the city came to over 3-4 lakh. Besides, the NMC administration failed to implement guidelines made for regulation of PoP idols due to lack of transparency from PoP idols makers and sellers.

The regulations continue for this year too, with NMC making it mandatory for idol makers and sellers to put a red mark on the back of PoP idols, and urging citizens to immerse such idols in artificial tanks.

Sharing last year's experience, deputy director of health Dr Milind Ganvir said the decision of the general body and the state government will be implemented with all efforts. "NMC managed to get success in spreading awareness among many devotees for immersion of idols in artificial tanks. But a complete ban remains the only effective solution," he said.

Medical officer (sanitation) Dr Ashok Urkude had led a team to ensure fewer PoP idols entered the city and that all of them were inspected before being sold in various parts of the city. Supporting Ganvir's suggestion, Urkude said he could not comment in his official capacity. "However, personally, I would say that a complete ban is the proper solution to prevent pollution of water bodies. The number of idols is so high, and they are sold in almost all parts of the city. Inspection of all idols by experts is almost impossible. Many PoP idols did not have the red mark, and seizing idols is a very sensitive task. Even I faced attack from idol makers last year," he said.

Narrating the experience at water bodies, Urkude said citizens supported NMC's drive to some extent, but not completely. "Stopping devotees and asking them to allow verification of the idol is a very sensitive issue. There is a devotional bond with the idols when brought for immersion. However, we are ready to execute whatever policy is finalized," he said.

NMC sources told TOI the legal department had observed that regulating PoP idols is the only way for the civic body. According to the legal department, any prohibition on sale of such idols would violate Article 19 (1) (g) of Constitution of India, and the local authority is not the competent authority to prohibit such sale.

Source: The Economic Times, DT. July 10, 2013.