Govt to convene allparty meet on noise pollution

CHANDIGARH: PUNJAB chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said the state government would soon convene an allparty meeting to discuss ways to check the menace of noise pollution caused by loudspeakers and public address system.

Intervening in the discussion on a call attention notice moved by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Aman Arora, the chief minister said it was a matter of grave public concern and required a serious discussion. He said norms on the issue were blatantly flouted, especially in the case of DJS at social functions, which resulted in inconvenience and disturbance to students preparing for examinations.

The CM had initially authorised rural development and panchayats minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa to reply on the aforesaid call attention. However, sensing the gravity of the issue and responding to the AAP MLA’S insistence on a reply from the CM, Amarinder intervened and assured the House that his government would get inputs from the members of the various political parties for evolving a consensus on finding a permanent solution to the problem.

The CM said there were guidelines under the Noise Pollution Regulation and Control Rules, 2000, issued by the Government of India and, in accordance with the provisions of the Punjab Instruments Control of Noise Act, 1956, comprehensive guidelines had already been notified for the regulation of noise/sound pollution caused by use of loudspeakers, public address systems etc. He also underlined the need to enforce these guidelines in letter and spirit.