The Uttar Pradesh government has banned the unauthorised use of loudspeakers and public address systems at religious and public places across the state. Setting January 15 as the deadline for obtaining permission, the government has warned that all such loudspeakers will be removed by January 20.
The move comes after the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, on December 20, asked the state government whether written permission was obtained from the concerned authorities before loudspeakers or public address systems were installed at religious places like mosques, temples, churches and gurdwaras.
In a 10-page order dated January 4, addressed to all district magistrates, senior superintendents of police and superintendents of police, State Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar has asked them to form teams, comprising revenue and police officials in their respective districts, to identify religious and public places where unauthorised loudspeakers and public address systems are being used.
“The direction also requires managers of religious and public places to obtain permission for putting up loudspeakers or any public address system before January 15. If they fail to do so, they will face action under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000,” said UP’s Secretary (Home) Bhagwan Swaroop.
The government has also directed action against the concerned authorities (government officials) who fail to ensure compliance.
Swaroop said each district will be categorised into industrial, commercial, residential and silence zones. Each area has separate maximum limits for permissible sound levels.