Loudspeaker row in Karnataka: Get permission in 15 days or remove them, says state govt

The Karnataka state government on Tuesday notified in a circular saying permission should be taken from the "designated authority" to use loudspeakers. All existing users of loudspeakers, public address systems, and sound-producing instruments are asked to obtain written permission within 15 days.

The government asked people to voluntarily remove loudspeakers if they do not obtain permission. The circular also states that loudspeakers are not to be used between 10 PM and 6 AM, except in closed rooms like auditoriums, conference rooms, community halls, and banquet halls.

The state government cited the Supreme Court ruling dated July 18, 2005, and October 28, 2005, regarding the implementation of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 to issue the guidelines.

After Maharashtra, Karnataka is witnessing a row over the use of loudspeakers. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai held a meeting to discuss the issue on Monday. Committees at different levels have been ordered to set up to decide on the application of loudspeaker or public address system.

The Assistant commissioner of police, jurisdictional executive engineer of the city Corporation, and a representative of the State pollution control board will be part of the committee in police commissionerates areas. In other places, deputy superintendents of police, the jurisdictional Tehsildar, and a representative of the State pollution control board make up the committee.

Non-compliance to the provisions of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 will be penalised in accordance with Sections 15, 19, and 24 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, said the circular.

The circular was issued by an under-secretary to the government after the State Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar sent a note to the Additional Chief Secretary Jawaid Akhtar. The action was taken after Hindu groups including Shri Ram Sena, Bajrang Dal, and Hindu Janajagruthi Samithi recorded versions of bhajans being recited at temples from 5 AM to counter azaan from mosques, reported The News Minute.

Karnataka Minister for Environment, Ecology, and Tourism Anand Singh said religious institutions have to abide by the rule to avoid legal actions. He added that in industrial areas, allowed decibel limits are 75 in the morning and 70 in the evening.

In commercial areas, 55 and 65 decibels are allowed in the morning and night. 55 and 45 decibels are allowed for residential areas during the day and night. In silent zones, the sound has to be limited to 50 decibels in the morning and 40 decibels at night, said the minister.