As students burn their midnight candle for board exams, the East Singhbhum district administration has decided to strictly enforce ban on use of loudspeakers in the city between 10 pm and 6 am. An order has been issued to all the 17 urban police stations on Friday calling for immediate seizure of loudspeakers and sound amplifiers playing music in the open.
The order issued by Dhalbhum SDO Suraj Kumar will also cover music played in large volume during marriage functions and social gathering at banquet halls and open-air parties at clubs, halls and grounds.
Kumar said “the citizens can also lodge a complaint at either local police station and we will seize the loudspeakers after a raid at the particular place immediately. Apart from seizure there will be a fine of Rs2000 on the individual or organisation for playing the loudspeakers at night. The order is valid even for music played in large volume during marriage party procession of bridegrooms taken out after 10 pm and anybody can lodge complaint at the respective police station or can directly inform me at 9431117832.”
SDO Dhalbhum personally raided two locations, thus, seizing the loudspeakers and amplifiers along with local police. Four loudspeakers and one amplifier were confiscated from a marriage ceremony at Gandak Road (behind Vivekananda High School) and were sent to Sakchi police station. While in another raid, a vehicle loaded with loudspeakers and amplifier playing music on a high volume were seized early in the morning near Circuit House.
The SDO said that one needs to take permission from the administration for playing music at loud volume on road. Apex court had in July 2005 banned use of loudspeakers and music systems between 10 pm to 6 am (except in public emergencies) at public places in view of the noise pollutions having serious effect on health of residents.
The administration has directed the police to ensure that noise pollution levels come down in the city. " Apart from a cause of concern for senior citizens most examinations are scheduled to begin from this month itself. It is noticed that people organise religious and cultural events during this season and use loud speakers and amplifiers till late hours, making it difficult for the students to concentrate. That will not be allowed," said a senior official.
The Supreme Court guidelines have also been quoted in the order which states: "the noise level at the boundary of the public place where loudspeaker or public address system or any other noise source is being used, shall not exceed 10 dB (A) above the ambient noise standards for the area or 75 dB (A) whichever is lower between 10pm to 6am.