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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Omarzai powers Afghanistan to 5-wicket win over UAE
New Delhi (PTI): Azmatullah Omarzai produced an all-round show to power Afghanistan to five-wicket win over United Arab Emirates in their Group D T20 World Cup fixture here on Monday.
Omarzai first returned with figures of 4/15 to help restrict UAE to 160 for 9.
He then played a match-winning cameo of 40 not out after Ibrahim Zadran scored 53 to take Afghanistan to their first win in the ongoing edition.
For UAE, Sohaib Khan scored his second consecutive fifty, smashing 68 off 48 balls while Alishan Sharafu contributed 31-ball 40.
Brief Score.
UAE 160 for 9 in 20 overs (Sohaib Khan 68, Alishan Sharafu 40; Azmatullah Omarzai 4/15).
Afghanistan 162 for 5 in 19.2 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 53; Azmatullah Omarzai 40 not out; Muhammad Arfan 2/30, Junaid Siddique 2/23).
