Times of India | 2 months ago | 28-01-2023 | 05:40 am
AHMEDABAD: While the city police commissioner's office has sought to curb noise pollution in public places and on public roads by imposing restrictions, it has also provided for religious places to not set their sound systems so loud that the sound travels beyond their premises. The circular issued on January 20 prohibits the use of microphone systems and instruments in public spaces, and permission is needed to play music and use public address systems. The circular permits the use of the microphone systems on certain conditions. For religious places, it says, "In temples, churches and mosques, the sound of the mike system/instrument should be limited in such a way that it does not go beyond the premises." The circular permits the use of mike systems and instruments in all private or closed places, and no permission is required to play music or sound systems in private places or closed areas such as auditoriums, community halls or conference halls, but "its sound should not go outside that place". Since the restrictions have been imposed by exercising powers under Section 144 of the CrPC, non-compliance is a violation under Section 188 of the IPC and is punishable by up to six months in jail. Besides making prior permission mandatory for processions and rallies, the circular also introduced the same provisions for use of any microphone systems or instruments on a moving vehicle. A policeman can ask for written permission from the person using a sound system, and upon violation of conditions, the permission can be cancelled. In case of violations, police may also seize tools and equipment from processionists. Those in the business out renting sound systems have been asked not to rent them without adhering to conditions including prior permission. The circular is for strict implementation of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board's (GPCB) December 2019 notification aiming at curbing noise pollution. The circular provides for permission to play music and use mike systems only during the day, and according to provisions of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Prohibitions) Rules 2000, the use of mike systems/instruments may not be permitted at night - from 10pm to 6am. The city police action comes three days before the Gujarat high court is scheduled to hear a PIL filed by advocate Kaivan Dastoor, demanding implementation of GPCB notifications and complaining about police inaction.
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