State Government sets norms for Ganeshostav celebration

Mumbai: Like every year in Mumbai, this year too Maharashtra government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started accepting applications online from July, 10 till August 19.

Considering the prevalence of corona all over the world, the corporation has given some terms and conditions to follow to all the Ganesh Mandals. In addition, Ganesh Mandals this time have to give a guarantee letter stating that they will be following all the rules and regulations set by the administration.

In Mumbai there are around 12,000 small and large public Ganeshostav mandals within the limits of BMC. This year BMC has given permission to the devotees Ganeshotsav Mandals regarding online ‘One Window’ system like last year, this year, the ‘One Window’ procedure for filling online application has been made available to Ganeshotsav Mandals from July 10, 2020. Therefore mandals will no longer have to go to the police, traffic police and fire brigade to obtaining permission.

A nominal fee of Rs 100/ will be charged from the mandals for permission, will not be levied by any mandal this year due to the condition of ‘Covid-19’ contagious disease. Also, considering the limited time available to the mandals which were allowed last year will be allowed to apply immediately this year on the basis of the previous year’s permission without sending the application online to the local police station and traffic police branch. However, it is necessary to mention the number of permission given last year in the application without fail.

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The applicant can apply from anywhere or anytime during the prescribed period. This online facility is available in both Marathi and English on BMC’s web portal https://portal.mcgm.gov.in.

Some terms and conditions for the guarantee required to be submitted by the Public Ganeshotsav mandals for availing permission to celebrate Shri Ganeshotsav 2020:

1. The height of the idol to be installed this year for the public Ganeshotsav will not be more than 4 feet and for domestic it should be 2 feet long.

2. The size of the mandals should be kept to a minimum capacity to prevent crowd and avoid the spread of the virus. 

3. It is necessary to follow the rules of social distance and other rules followed for covid19.

4. Sanitization to the main parts of the mandals 3 times a day and providing sanitizer to the workers and other persons visiting mandals.

5. It will be mandatory for every worker / person in the mandals to wear a mask. Also, there will not be more than 5 workers in the tent at a time.

6.  As a special issue this year, there should be a ban on offering prasad / flowers and garlands in order to prevent corona virus infection.

7. In the vicinity of Ganesh Mandap and on the adjoining streets, temporary stalls and tables are set up every year for the sale of flowers, garlands and offerings. There should be a ban for this this year.

8. At the time of Shri Ganesha’s Aarti, maximum 10 devotees should be given the opportunity to perform the Aarti at a time.

9. Due to the recent outbreak of the deadly corona virus in Greater Mumbai, the decoration of pavilions / lighting / scenes should be done in a very simple manner and the Ganeshotsav of 2020 should be celebrated in a very simple way. On this occasion, the Board should organize public awareness campaign / blood donation camp, health check-up, public health oriented programs and cooperate with the Municipal Corporation and Police Administration.

10. Strict action will be taken those found not abiding with the rules during the festival to spread the corona virus. Otherwise, strict action will be taken under the Infectious Diseases Act, 1897, National Disaster Prevention Act, 2005 and Indian Penal Code, 1860.

11. All the rules laid down by the BMC and the administration should be strictly followed.-By Vikas Nag