Steel city residents, especially senior citizens, will no longer have to spend sleepless nights because of blaring loudspeakers in the coming festive season.
On Tuesday, East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Amitabh Kaushal directed Dhalbhum subdivisional officer (SDO) Alok Kumar and Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) special officer Dipak Sahay to enforce a complete ban on loudspeakers from 10am to 6am, starting Wednesday, in keeping with a 2005 Supreme Court order.
A copy of the directive has also been sent to East Singhbhum SSP Anoop T. Mathew.
"From Wednesday, permission has to be taken from Dhalbhum SDO to use loudspeakers or music systems at public places. Besides, loudspeakers cannot be played during the prohibited time period as per the municipal Act and a Supreme Court order," said JNAC special officer Dipak Sahay.
The official added that puja committees and other religious bodies would be also issued a copy of the directive.
"Anybody can lodge a complaint at either the local police station or with us and we will seize the loudspeakers after raiding the particular place immediately. This apart, a fine of Rs 2,000 will be slapped on the individual/committee/organisation for flouting the diktat. If the local police station fails to respond to complaints, people can directly approach the SSP," said Dhalbhum SDO Alok Kumar.
In July 2005, the apex court had banned loudspeakers and music systems between 10pm and 6am (except during emergencies) at public places because of the rising noise pollution that has an adverse impact on people's health.
All 13 urban police stations of Jamshedpur have been asked to stay alert.
Sources said that the deputy commissioner's directive came following complaints of unrestricted use of loudspeakers at night recently during Vishwakarma Puja and Ganesh Puja.
"Several religious and social organisations hold orchestra party or music functions during festivals, playing loudspeakers till late night. This causes inconvenience to people like elderly citizens and also children, who have to wake up early for school," said 75-year-old Shiv Pujan Singh, president of Singhbhum Kendriya Varishta Nagarik Mancha, an outfit of senior citizens.
