No COVID19 Restrictions During Ganesh Chaturthi, David Handi, Muharram: Maha CM
Mumbai: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said all COVID-related restrictions during Ganesh Chaturthi, Dahi Handi and Muharram have been lifted in the state.
Ganeshotsav, the state’s biggest 10-day public the festival will be celebrated from August 31 to September 9, while Janmashtami will be celebrated on August 18-19 and Muharram on August 9.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made the much-awaited announcements after a meeting with government departments, municipal bodies, representatives of various organisations, police and other bodies.
Shinde said the height limit of Lord Ganesha idols as well as the COVID-19 restrictions implemented in 2020 and 2021 have been removed.
The government has directed the concerned bodies to provide online approvals in a single-window format, waive off the registration fee and guarantee letters from Ganeshotsav organisations.
The government will also constitute a committee of experts from various organizations to help develop a solution to replace the idols made by Plaster of Paris (POP) given the environmental hazards of POPs.
“For the past two years, we were under the threat of Coronavirus and were not able to celebrate the festivals with enthusiasm. This year, Ganeshotsav and Janmashthami shall be celebrated with full fervour. The organisers should create themes of social awareness and amity,” said Shinde.
Shinde and Fadnavis also said that all rules should be followed while celebrating the festival, but the rules should not be ‘unfair’, and all districts will appoint a nodal officer to oversee the celebrations.
For the popular Dahi-Handi celebrations on the second day of Janmashtami, the government has said that all organizations, barring the participation of children below the age of 14, should follow the rules of the court.
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