Cops to help BBMP curb PoP Ganesha sale

BENGALURU: Every year the BBMP and the Karnataka Pollution Control Board try to prevent the entry and sale of Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesha idols in the city, but ultimately we do find them being sold in shops and polluting our lakes.

This year, city Mayor Gangambike has sought the help of police department to prevent the entry of PoP idols into the city and prevent their sale.

Gangambike told Deccan Chronicle, “Even though we create a lot of awareness about the disadvantages of PoP idols, we find them being sold during the Ganesha festival. When BBMP officials go to seize them, the vendors prevent them from doing their duty. The vendors were getting away by citing that their livelihood was at stake.” This is affecting the lakes in the city, she added.

The Mayor said that citizens buy PoP idols, do all pooja and then head to the lakes to immerse them. “We are not able to stop them from immersing PoP idols into the lakes, as people do not care about our directions and force our men at lakes to allow them to immerse. So we have now opted to prevent the entry and the sale of PoP Ganesh idols in the city,” she said.

With just a few weeks for Ganesh Chaturthi, I have sought the help of the police department. Our men will be accompanied by the police during their raids at manufacturing units and selling points. In the presence of police, our men will be able to discharge their duties without any fear and intimidation, she explained.