Strictly enforce ban on PoP Gowri-Ganesha idols: Karnataka minister to local bodies
Bengaluru, Jul 24 (PTI): Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre on Thursday directed local bodies to strictly enforce the ban on the manufacture and sale of Gowri and Ganesha idols made of Plaster of Paris.
He instructed officials to encourage the stocking, transportation, and sale of eco-friendly, colorless clay idols of Gowri and Ganesha instead of PoP idols coated with chemical paints that are harmful to the environment and water bodies, Khandre said in a press release.
The minister’s directive comes ahead of the Gowri and Ganesha festivals, scheduled for August 26 and 27.
PoP Ganesha idols are made using a powder containing calcium, sulfate, and hemihydrate. They contain hazardous elements including sulfur, phosphorus, gypsum, and magnesium.
"These idols are coated with chemical paints containing mercury, cadmium, lead, and carbon. When immersed in water bodies, the heavy metals dissolve, posing health risks to people and livestock," Khandre said.
He added the environment department has been directed to raise public awareness, as these idols also cause the death of aquatic life.
The minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment noted that a circular prohibiting the manufacture, storage, and sale of PoP Ganesha idols had been issued earlier.
After assuming office, a government order was issued in 2023 reinforcing this ban, which local bodies must implement strictly, the release added.
With a month remaining for the festivals, Khandre instructed officials to take immediate steps to monitor and curb the storage and transportation of PoP idols.
He also directed officials to engage with welfare associations in multi-storied buildings, residential complexes, and local communities to encourage residents to use only eco-friendly Ganesha idols, the release further said.
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LS passes bill to open up nuclear sector for private participation
New Delhi (PTI): Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the nuclear energy bill with Union minister Jitendra Singh asserting that it would help India achieve its target of 100 GW atomic energy generation by 2047.
The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, which seeks to open the tightly-controlled civil nuclear sector for private participation, was passed by voice vote amid a walkout by the opposition.
Singh termed the bill a "milestone legislation" that will give a new direction to the country's developmental journey.
"India's role in geopolitics is increasing. If we have to be a global player, we have to follow global benchmarks and global strategies. The world is moving towards clean energy. We too have set a target of 100 GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2047," he said.
The opposition contended that the bill diluted provisions of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 that passed on the liability for a nuclear incident on to the suppliers of nuclear equipment.
