Follow norms, win prizes: Cops

NASHIK: The city police may just have chanced upon a novel way of keeping this year's Ganeshotsav celebrations from going overboard.
Police have decided to award Ganesh mandals that adhere to the 10 norms, including lower decibel levels and not using DJ, set up by them for the upcoming festivities. Mandals in the jurisdiction of the Sarkarwada police station will come in the ambit of this new initiative this year, and if successful, the model will be implemented across the city next year onwards.
Accordingly, officials of the Sarkarwada police station have appealed to the 85 Ganesh mandals falling in its jurisdiction to follow the norms, including playing certain kinds of songs, not using DJ and carrying out smooth, disciplined processions, as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court.
The move will bring about healthy competition among mandals, besides encouraging quality celebrations, the police feel.
Deputy commissioner of police (zone I) Laxmikant Patil said, "We have taken such an initiative for the first time in the city. Residents often complain about the deteriorating quality of celebrations and unwanted activities undertaken by the Ganesh mandals."
Sharing the 10 norms chalked out by the police, Patil said, "Safety and security of the Ganesh idol, decorations, quality of songs and sound levels, electricity source arrangements, entrance arrangement for men and women, parking allocation, volunteers deployed at the venue, discipline at the pandals, types of activities and programmes conducted and processions are among the guidelines that we have set up for the mandals to follow during this year's Ganeshotsav."
The first three mandals scoring the highest points on the basis of the norms will be awarded prizes through sponsors, he said, adding, "The plans about the prize to be awarded are being discussed."
Another official from the Sarkarwada police station said the mandals have also been directed to ensure that they do not flout norms and obstruct traffic. Use of DJs will be banned and music systems will have to be stopped post the10pm deadline.
"We have advised the mandals to set up CCTV cameras for security purposes. Other measures like fire fighting equipment to ensure visitors' safety have also been highlighted. Besides, a team of police officials would visit the mandals in civil clothes and monitor the activities," he added.