Chandigarh, March 28: Leader of the House and Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday announced that the government would soon convene an All Party Meet to deliberate on ways to check the menace of Noise/Sound Pollution caused by loudspeakers/public address system etc.
Intervening in the call attention raised by the Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Sunam Aman Arora, the Chief Minister said that since it was a matter of grave public concern, which was playing havoc with the lives of people, it warranted serious discussion.
Expressing deep concern over the implications of noise pollution, the Chief Minister said the 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 Chief Minister had earlier authorized 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 Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh intervened and assured the House that his government would inputs from the members of the various political parties for evolving a consensus on finding a permanent solution to the problem.
The Chief Minister pointed out that 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.
Underlining the need to enforce these guidelines in letter and spirit, Captain Amarinder Singh said that the District Police and Civil Administration, officers of Pollution Control Board and officers of Department of Local Government should strictly comply with these noise pollution control guidelines in the larger public interest.
