Hsg societies don’t need cop nod for garba

Navratri promises to be a stress-free affair for housing societies across the city this year. Reason: The state has repealed the police’s powers to grant permission to host such events or hire orchestras in the society. The nine-day festival begins on October 1.

The only police permission required is for the use of loud speakers under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. These rules require maintaining ambient noise levels and switching off the loudspeakers by 10pm.

In the past, housing societies had to apply for permission (NOC) for everything — from orchestras to dancing — during Navratri.

In 1961, the state government, through a notification issued under Section 33 (1) of the Bombay Police Act, 1951, (now The Maharashtra Police Act), had made it mandatory for housing societies to obtain ‘premises and performance’ licences from the police while organising functions on the open premises of the society. However, through another notification in March this year, the government (promulgated through the Mumbai police commissioner) has withdrawn these powers, thus paving the way for minimum police intervention in celebrations within housing societies. The relaxation not only extends to Garba or orchestra alone, but for organising other functions and marriage receptions on the society premises as well.

Police commissioner Dattatreya Padsalgikar told HT that the purpose of the amendment was to let citizens celebrate without any hassles from the police.

Indigo Airlines, which caters to almost four out of 10 domestic passengers in India, has put a blanket ban on allotment of premium seats with large legroom to domestic fliers travelling with children.

The airline said fliers with children (under 12 years) are banned from premium seats (rows 1-4 and 11-14), which have been termed ‘quiet zones’ by the airline. “The policy is discriminatory. It means you cannot ask for more leg space while travelling with your children,” said Pune resident Anshuman Sinha, whose sister and brotherin-law learnt about the policy on Saturday while travelling with their infant from Pune to Nagpur. “It is clear that they do not want children to disturb fliers paying extra for these seats. But then why permit children in nearby rows either,” asked Sinha.

On Wednesday, a spokesperson from Indigo asked for a day to respond, but refused to comment a day later. But the airline’s replies on Twitter to passengers denied seats under this pretext were clear. “In order to provide a hassle-free flying experience to our customers, rows 1-4 and 11-14 will serve as quiet zones. These seats will not be assigned to passengers below 12 years of age,” read the airline’s standard reply to fliers alleging discrimination.