‘Illegal’ loudspeaker users to get notices

Over 3,000 establishments using loudspeakers and public address systems, but most of them are doing it without permission, says DM

LUCKNOW: The district administration is set to serve notices to over 3,000 religious and non-religious establishments including DJ operators, marriage palaces and party lawns which are using loudspeakers ‘illegally’, if they fail to obtain permission by January 15.

On Thursday too, the city police carried out awareness drives in the Old City, making the managements and individuals aware of dos and don’ts highlighted in the UP Government’s recent order on loudspeakers.

To recall, the government had shot an order on January 7, directing DMs and superintendents of police (SPs) to ensure removal of ‘unauthorised’ loudspeakers and public address systems installed at religious places across the state.

It had also directed them to carry out a brief survey of such loudspeakers in their respective districts, to submit reports by January 10 and ensure the removal of all illegal loudspeakers by January 15.

“As per a rough estimate, the city has more than 3,000 religious and non religious establishments that are using loudspeakers and public address systems. But most of them are doing it without any permission. We will start serving notices to all after January 15,” said district magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma.

The district administration here has also roped in the local police to propagate the government’s order and to collect the loudspeaker registration forms.

“Individuals or religious establishments can collect the loudspeaker registration forms from the local police station and complete the registration process. Besides, the city police have also been asked to create awareness among establishments, telling them about the dos and don’ts of using loudspeakers,” said Sharma.

AWARENESS DRIVES

Superintendent of police (SP) West Vikas Chandra Tripathi himself launched a drive in the Old City. “We covered around 19 establishments, including temples and mosques, where we made people aware of the latest order and also told them the way to obtain permission,” said Tripathi.

Islami Centre of India, Eidgah too launched an awareness drive. It also established a stall to make loudspeaker registration forms available to the people.

“There was a lot of confusion among the people regarding the government’s latest order on loudspeakers. Hence we decided to take the initiative and make the forms available to those who wanted to get their loudspeakers registered,” said Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahalai, Imam Eidgah.