Decision to ban PoP idols stayed for one year

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Friday stayed its decision to ban the use of Plaster of Paris (PoP) in making idols for one year, arguing that the ban at this juncture would affect livelihoods of lakhs of artisans in the Covid-19 situation.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had last week issued guidelines, banning the use of PoP in making idols in order to prevent pollution in water bodies by their immersion.
The Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar, however, on Friday announced one year stay on it.
“This will help the artisans who have already invested in purchasing material and have prepared or are busy preparing for the upcoming Ganpati and the Durga puja festivals,” said Javadekar.
The Board in its guidelines on idol immersion, issued on May 12, had stated that the idols made up of only natural, bio-degradable and eco-friendly raw material —such as traditional virtuous clay and mud — should be encouraged, allowed and promoted, and idols made up of PoP shall be banned.
It also said that the use of single-use plastic and thermocol shall not be permitted at all and only eco-friendly material such as straw structure shall be used in making idols or decoration of idols/pandals/tazias in order to prevent pollution in water bodies.
It is learnt that Javadekar received many representations from Maharashtra and other states, requesting him to stay the CPCB order as the sudden decision will lead to huge financial losses when rural artisans
have already invested their money in purchasing materials for making idols for the upcoming Ganpati and Durga puja festivals.