Govt to ban unlicensed, high-decibel DJs in 15 days: Minister

Patna: Transport minister Shrawan Kumar on Thursday said the state govt will impose a strict ban on unlicensed and high-decibel DJ music within 15 days, warning that vehicles modified into DJ trolleys or those operating above permissible noise limits will face confiscation and punitive action.“DJ music will be banned at wedding processions and other events within 15 days. It is illegal to modify vehicles into DJ trolleys or to play loud DJ music without permission,” the minister said.Replying to MLC Banshi Dhar Brajwasi in the legislative council, where several members raised concerns over rising noise pollution, he said deafening DJ sound boxes mounted on vehicles was causing serious health complications, including cardiac arrests.The minister said strict action would be taken against unauthorised DJ vehicle owners and assured the House that the state would be made “illegal DJ-free” within 15 days. Vehicles operating without licences will be confiscated, he added.He further announced that the transport department would launch a special campaign against noise pollution and warned members not to seek exemptions later for allowing DJs at weddings.MLCs Brajwasi and Birendra Narayan Yadav alleged that many DJ vehicles lack registration numbers or valid identification, enabling illegal activities. Other members supported the demand for a strict ban. They also flagged incidents of gunfire at weddings and other events as a matter of serious concern.Centre to increase state’s ethanol quota: Industries minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal informed the House that following a meeting of a Bihar delegation—led by deputy CM Samrat Choudhary—with Union petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday, the Centre has agreed in principle to increase Bihar’s ethanol quota.Responding to questions, Jaiswal said the Centre had earlier signed an MoU to purchase only 35.28 crore litres of ethanol from Bihar, even though the state is producing over 50 crore litres every month. He added that due to logistics constraints faced by oil companies, such as inadequate warehousing facilities, the quota was reduced.Replying to RJD MLCs Sachchidanand Rai and Sunil Kumar Singh, Jaiswal said the Centre had signed agreements with only 11 dedicated ethanol plants. Later, eight additional plants started operations in Bihar, attracted by the business potential, but these units do not have purchase agreements with the govt.