Indore (Madhya Pradesh): The administration has decided to adopt a tough stance against the manufacture and sale of Plaster of Paris idols of gods and goddesses during festivals. Only idols made using clay and natural colours will be allowed to be sold in the market.
Officials have been instructed to call a meeting of idol makers of the city and brief them about the decision.
Collector Asheesh Singh has taken the initiative to explain to the idol makers well in time to strictly follow the guidelines issued by the National Green Tribunal and the Central Pollution Control Board for prevention of pollution caused by idol-making in the district.
ADM Roshan Rai has been given the responsibility to make the idol makers aware of the strict rules and guidelines.
Collector Singh said that the officers would keep an eye on idol making and ensure that only those natural materials were used in the making of the idols of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Durga as were mentioned in the old scriptures. Only traditional clay should be used in the construction of idols.
The use of baked clay, POP (Plaster of Paris) or any type of chemical and chemical substances would be prohibited. The collector said that at this time, only advice was being given. If use of prohibited material came to light, strict action would be taken.
Barring traditional clay, the manufacture and sale of idols made from other materials like POP and chemicals, taking them outside or bringing them from outside has been banned.
If idols have already been made somewhere, the information about the current stock will have to be submitted in writing. It will also have to be given in writing that no other idols will be made apart from those already fashioned.
