BENGALURU: With hours left for the
New Year
revelry to begin, apartment owners and resident welfare associations are confused over the rules issued by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (
BBMP
) on celebrations to usher in 2022.
With the Omicron threat looming large, BBMP has banned DJ parties but allowed small gatherings in apartments. However, many apartment associations feel BBMP could have issued specific guidelines for organising New Year parties and not leave everything to the discretion of the associations. “We support the government’s decision but some of us feel celebrations should be permitted inside apartments,” said
Vikram Rai, secretary, Bengaluru Apartment Federations.
Shantha Kumar
, a member of Rajajinagar RWA, said issuing strict rules during the celebration is a must with increasing cases. “Senior citizens will be affected in case of outbreak and their recovery time is very slow. But the government rules are not clear,” he added.
Dheeran Prakash Pai, secretary of a private apartment in
JP Nagar
, said the government should not have given permission for the celebration without restrictions. “If there are gatherings and someone tests positive, BBMP will seal off the whole apartment. Why cannot the government issue specific rules?” Pai asked.
Vishnu Gattupalli, president of Trifecta Starlight apartment, said it’s important to keep the New Year celebrations a low-key affair. “The number of cases is rising drastically, and with the outbreak of Omicron, it is important to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour to avoid community spread,” he added.
BBMP chief commissioner Gaurav Gupta, however, said apartment federations and RWAs are allowed to celebrate the occasion after consulting among themselves. “DJs are not allowed, but it would be ideal if these groups follow Covid-appropriate behaviour,” he said.
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