No. 286]

CHENNAI, THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2018

Aadi 24, Vilambi, Thiruvalluvar Aandu-2049

Part II—Section 1

Notifications or Orders of specific character or of particular interest to the public

issued by Secretariat Departments.

NOTIFICATIONS BY GOVERNMENT

TAMIL NADU

GOVERNMENT GAZETTE

EXTRAORDINARY

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

[Regd. No. TN/CCN/467/2012-14.

GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU

[R. Dis. No. 197/2009.

2018

[Price: Rs. 2.40 Paise.

[ 1 ]

Ex-II-1(286)

PUBLIC DEPARTMENT

(Law and Order.B)

GUIDELINES REGARDING INSTALLATION AND WORSHIP OF VINAYAKAR IDOLS AND ALSO

IMMERSION THEREOF

[G.O.Ms.No. 598, Public (Law & Order.B), 9th August 2018, Aadi 24, Vilambi, Thiruvalluvar Aandu-2049.]

No. II(1)/PULO/15(k)/2018.

With a view to maintain public peace, tranquility, public safety, regulation of trafﬁ c and control of pollution, the following

guidelines are issued for the State of Tamil Nadu :-

(1) Any organiser intending to install Vinayakar Idol should apply in a prescribed format (as in Form-I) to the Assistant

Commissioners of Police concerned, where there are Police Commissionerates, and RDO / Sub-Collector in all other

cases, at least a month in advance along with No Objection Certiﬁ cates (NOCs) obtained from

(i) Land owner concerned. If the proposed land is a public land, NOC from the Local Bodies concerned/

Highways or the Department concerned should be obtained;

(ii) The Station House Ofﬁ cer concerned (including Sound Ampliﬁ er License / Permit);

(iii) Fire and Rescue Services to the effect that temporary structures erected adhere to the ﬁ re safety

standards;

and

(i) A letter indicating source of power supply and proof of temporary supply of electricity from TANGEDCO.

Necessary permission will be issued by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in Police Commissionerates,

and RDO / Sub-Collector in other cases in Form-II annexed to the guidelines.

(2)

The Idols proposed to be installed should be made of pure clay and should not be made of any polluting

materials such as Plaster of Paris or painted with prohibited polluting chemicals and as stipulated by Tamil Nadu Pollution

TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY

Control Board and Central Pollution Control Board from time to time. In case Idols are to be painted, water soluble

and non-toxic natural dyes alone should be used. Use of toxic and non-biodegradable chemical dyes for painting Idols

is strictly prohibited.

(3)

The organisers should avoid using inﬂ ammable materials for construction of temporary structures and should

provide entry and exit, which are wide enough for smooth and easy ingress into and exit out of ‘Pandhals’ and / or

structures in a regulated manner.

(4)

The organisers should ensure that adequate ﬁ rst aid and emergency medical facilities are made available

and no inﬂ ammable materials are stored in and around the worship areas.

(5)

The height of the Idol proposed to be installed should not exceed 10 feet including the base and the dais.

(6)

Installation of Idols near other religious places / hospitals / educational institutions should be avoided.

(7)

Sound Ampliﬁ er (Mike) License would be granted only for two hours in the morning and two hours in the

evening, during Pooja. Cone type speakers are prohibited and only box type speakers should be used. Public Address

System should not exceed the prescribed noise decibel limit and in the event any music is played, the music should

not exceed the prescribed noise decibel limit.

(8)

The organisers should ensure that no illegal activities take place under the garb of Vinayakar worship

including unauthorized tapping and / or pilferage of electricity.

(9)

No ﬂ ex boards in support of any political party or communal leader shall be erected at the premises of

the programme.

(10) Organisers should depute two volunteers round the clock for safety of the Idol. The installation places of

Idol should be properly illuminated. Generator set may be provided in case of power failure.

(11) Shouting of slogans inciting communal hatred and affecting the sentiments of other religions shall not be

permitted at any cost.

(12) The organisers should strictly follow any other conditions laid down by the Revenue / Police / Tamil Nadu

Pollution Control Board authorities in the interest of maintaining public peace, public safety and communal harmony.

(13) The Fire and Rescue Services should ensure that ﬁ re safety norms and rules are strictly complied with and

the ‘Pandhals’ including the electrical installations thereof are inspected and approved by the ﬁ re authorities concerned.

(14) The District Collectors concerned shall annually ﬁ nalise the list of Idol immersion points in their districts

in consultation with the Police Department, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Local Bodies and related Departments.

Idols should be immersed only in the designated “Idol Immersion Points” identiﬁ ed by the authorities concerned.

(15) Vinayakar Idols installed in the public places for worship should be taken out for immersion within ﬁ ve days

from the date of installation.

(16) Vinayakar Idol immersion procession should be taken out before 1200 hours on the speciﬁ ed day in the

approved routes prescribed by the Police through vehicles and immersed in the designated places in an orderly manner.

Wherever possible, the procession should be taken out through the routes by-passing the mosques / churches, as

stipulated by the Police authorities.

(17) Four wheelers, (i.e.), mini lorry / tractor should only be used for carrying the Idols. Bullock cart/ﬁ sh cart/

three wheelers would not be permitted.

(18) Capacity of participants travelling in the vehicle carrying Vinayakar Idol should be in accordance with the

Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.

(19) Bursting of crackers at the Vinayakar Idol installation places / immersion points / procession routes should

not be allowed.

(20) Worship materials like ﬂ owers, clothes, decorating material (made of paper and plastic), etc., should be

removed before immersion of Idols. Bio-degradable materials should be collected separately for recycling or composting.

Non-biodegradable materials should be collected separately for disposal in sanitary landﬁ lls.

(21) The ‘Idol Immersion Points’ shall be cordoned off and barricaded. Synthetic liner may be placed in the

bottom, well in advance. The said liner shall be removed on completion of immersion ceremony so that the remains of

Idols would be brought to the bank. Bamboo and wooden logs, if any, would be reused. Clay, etc., may be taken to

sanitary landﬁ ll for disposal.

TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY

(22) Within 48 hours of the immersion of Idols, the left over material at the Idol immersion points on the banks

of rivers, lakes, beaches, etc., should be collected by the local bodies for disposal.

(23) Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board should conduct water quality assessment of the water body, preferably

in Municipal Corporations at three stages, (i.e.), pre-immersion, during immersion and post immersion. Considering the

size of water body, appropriate number of sampling locations may be determined in order to get a fairly representative

assessment of water quality. For ascertaining water quality, physico-chemical parameters such as pH, DO, BOD, COD,

Conductivity, Turbidity, TDS, Total Solids and Metals (Chromium, Lead, Zinc and Copper) may be analysed.

(24) The appeal against the order of permission issuing authority lies with the Commissioner of Police in Police

Commissionerates and District Collector in other cases.

FORM – I

Application for permission to install Idol and to take out processions

From

(Name and address with contact details of the

convenor who intends to install Idols and to

take out procession).

The Sub-Collector (or) The Revenue Divisional

Ofﬁ cer (or) The Assistant Commissioner of

Police (as the case may be)

Sir,

I hereby apply for permission to install Idol (not exceeding ..............................feet) at ……………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………….. situated within …………………………… Police

limits in ………………………………Taluk of ……………………………… District.

I forward herewith the following particulars in duplicate, duly signed by me:-

(a) NOC from the Land owner concerned. If the proposed land is a public land, NOC from the Local Bodies/

Highways or the Department concerned;

(b) NOC from the Station House Ofﬁ cer concerned (including Sound Ampliﬁ er License / Permit);

safety standards;

and

(i) A letter indicating source of power supply and proof of temporary supply of electricity from TANGEDCO.

UNDERTAKING

(1) I agree to install Idol made of bio-degradable material such as clay and use only natural dyes and will not use

chemical colours.

(2) I agree to proceed with installation of the Idol only with prior permission.

(3) I agree to use the ampliﬁ ers and loudspeakers within the permissible limits in the speciﬁ ed timing.

(4) I agree to refrain from bursting of crackers.

(5) I agree that I will not tap electricity illegally.

(6) I agree that no ﬂ ex boards in support of any political party or communal leader will be erected.

(7) I agree that the Idol immersion procession will be taken out with Police permission at the route and time speciﬁ ed

by the Police and the Idols will be immersed at the notiﬁ ed immersion points as per the conditions laid down.

(8) I agree that I will abide by any other conditions put forth for permission.

Signature of the Convenor

who intends to install

Idols and take out procession

TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY

FORM – II

Permission to install the Idols and permission for procession

From

The Sub-Collector (or) The Revenue Divisional

Ofﬁ cer (or) The Assistant Commissioner of

Police (as the case may be)

(Name and address of the convenor who intends

to install Idols and and to take out procession).

Sir / Madam,

Permission is hereby accorded for installation of Idol (not exceeding10 feet) from …………….... to ……………………..

at …………………………………………………………… within …………………………………… Police limits in ……………………

Taluk of …………………………. District, subject to the conditions attached herewith.

Sub-Collector (or) Revenue Divisional Ofﬁ cer (or)

Assistant Commissioner of Police

Date

Place

Copy to :

1. The

PERMISSION IS ISSUED SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS :-

(a) The Idols proposed to be installed should be made of pure clay and should not be made of any polluting

materials such as Plaster of Paris or painted with prohibited polluting chemicals and as stipulated by Tamil Nadu Pollution

Control Board and Central Pollution Control Board from time to time. In case Idols are to be painted, water soluble

and non-toxic natural dyes alone should be used. Use of toxic and non-biodegradable chemical dyes for painting Idols

is strictly prohibited.

(b) The organisers should avoid using inﬂ ammable materials for construction of temporary structures and should

provide entry and exit, which are wide enough for smooth and easy ingress into and exit out of ‘Pandhals’ and / or

structures in a regulated manner.

and no inﬂ ammable materials are stored in and around the worship areas.

(d) The height of the Idol proposed to be installed should not exceed 10 feet including the base and the dais.

(e) Installation of Idols near other religious places / hospitals / educational institutions should be avoided.

(f) Sound Ampliﬁ er (Mike) License would be granted only for two hours in the morning and two hours in the

evening, during Pooja. Cone type speakers are prohibited and only box type speakers should be used. Public Address

System should not exceed the prescribed noise decibel limit and in the event any music is played, the music should

not exceed the prescribed noise decibel limit.

(g) The organisers should ensure that no illegal activities take place under the garb of Vinayakar worship including

unauthorized tapping and / or pilferage of electricity.

(h) No ﬂ ex boards in support of any political party or communal leader shall be erected at the premises of the

programme.

(i) Organisers should depute two volunteers round the clock for safety of the Idol. The installation places of

Idol should be properly illuminated. Generator set may be provided in case of power failure.

TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY

(j) Shouting of slogans inciting communal hatred and affecting the sentiments of other religions shall not be

permitted at any cost.

(k) The organisers should strictly follow any other conditions laid down by the Revenue / Police Tamil Nadu

Pollution Control Board authorities in the interest of maintaining public peace, public safety and communal harmony.

(l) Vinayakar Idols installed in the public places for worship should be taken out for immersion within ﬁ ve days

from the date of installation.

(m) Vinayakar Idol immersion procession should be taken out before 1200 hours on the speciﬁ ed day in the

approved routes prescribed by the Police through vehicles and immersed in the designated places in an orderly manner.

Wherever possible, the procession should be taken out through the routes by-passing the mosques / churches, as

stipulated by the Police authorities.

(n) Four wheelers, (i.e.), mini lorry / tractor should only be used for carrying the Idols. Bullock cart / ﬁ sh cart/

three wheelers would not be permitted.

(o) Capacity of participants travelling in the vehicle carrying Vinayakar Idol should be in accordance with the

Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.

(p) Bursting of crackers at the Vinayakar Idol installation places / immersion points / procession routes should

not be allowed.

(q) Worship materials like ﬂ owers, clothes, decorating material (made of paper and plastic), etc., should be

removed before immersion of Idols.

(r) In case of appeal against the order of permission issuing authority, it lies with the Commissioner of Police

in Police Commissionerates and District Collector in other cases.

P. SENTHILKUMAR,

Principal Secretary to Government (FAC).

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE DIRECTOR OF STATIONERY AND PRINTING, CHENNAI

ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU