New Delhi: The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar, on Friday, announced that the ban over the construction of Ganesh Idols with Plaster of Paris has been put on stay for one-year.
While concerning over the threats on the environment, months ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, Central Pollution Control Board imposed a ban on the use of Plaster of Paris, thermocol, and plastic to construct Ganesh idols.
The board had stated that idols can only be made from eco-friendly, bio-degradable material.
The Union Minister made an announcement in his tweet, "The stay has been put on the decision to ensure that the artisans who have been working on the construction of these idols from Plaster of Paris for this year's Ganesh Chaturthi, do not suffer the loss."
In a statement released by the MoEFCC, it has been stated, "In a big relief of lakhs artisans whose livelihoods have been severely impacted due to COVID-19 crisis, the Union Minister today announced that the decision to ban the use of Plaster of Paris to make Ganesh idols have been delayed for a year. This will help the artisans who have already invested in purchasing materials and have prepared or are busy preparing for the upcoming Ganpati and Durga pooja festival."
The announcement came in the wake of an appeal made by Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, arguing that the ban would cause a major loss for all the artisans who have already started the preparation for the festival.
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