New Delhi:Ensuring the proper implementation of Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, Punjab and Haryana High Court on 25 July has banned the use of loudspeakers in private and public spaces across the two states without written permission of authorities.
The division bench of Justices Rajiv Sharma and Harinder Singh Sidhu directed the two states and Chandigarh to ensure certain rules and regulations to control the level of rising noise pollution.
The court directed the authorities to penalise violators under relevant rules:
- The court ordered that the restrictions will remain active even during daytime and noise level shall not exceed more than 10dB(A).
- Loudspeakers will not be used between 10 pm to 6 am and at night they will be used only in auditoriums, conference rooms and banquet halls as per norms laid down under Noise Pollution Control Act.
- No loudspeakers will be permitted 15 days before and during annual examinations.
- Privately owned sound system shall not exceed the peripheral noise level by more than 5dB.
- All the senior superintendents of police of the states of Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory Chandigarh are directed to ensure that pressure horns are banned and no horns shall be blown in silence zone or at night time, except during public emergency.
- The motorcycles must be duly-fitted with silencers to avoid noise pollution.
- People are restricted to play songs glorifying liquor, drugs, violence and carry a firearm in live shows.
- The bench also ordered that no child below the age of 12 years is permitted to enter cinema halls/multiplexes where "A" certificate films are screened.
- The district administration is directed to ensure that obscene posters are not displayed near educational institutions across these states.
- The authorities shall be personally responsible to ensure due to compliance of the directions and proper enforcement of these laws