Chhath shadow looms over Lake despite NGT’s order

  • | Monday | 12th November, 2018

This year, due to paucity of time, we could not file a revision appeal on the NGT order. KOLKATA: Despite the National Green Tribunal ban on Chhath Puja at the Lake, there is still a last attempt being made to hold the puja at Rabindra Sarobar. The NGT had then allowed Chhath at Rabindra Sarobar with reasonable restrictions. Misinformation has been spread about Chhath Puja polluting the Lake and its surroundings. That, however, can only be done after the Chhath Puja concludes on Wednesday morning.“The state had backed us last time, but has not stood by us now.

KOLKATA: Despite the National Green Tribunal ban on Chhath Puja at the Lake, there is still a last attempt being made to hold the puja at Rabindra Sarobar. Rastriya Bihari Samaj (RBS), the key organiser of Chhath Puja at Rabindra Sarobar , plans to move NGT on Monday to press for permission to observe the Puja at the Lake this year as well.However, environmentalists said that the green body has already made it clear that no puja can be performed on the Lake premises. If it is still held, it will be in contempt of court. The environmentalists have also appealed to the devotees to spare the Lake for the sake of the environment, which is already under serious threat.“Last year, after the NGT’s ban, we had appealed for relief. The NGT had then allowed Chhath at Rabindra Sarobar with reasonable restrictions. Since there has been no FIR lodged; nor any complaints made, it is safe to assume that the orders have not been flouted. This year, like previous years, we had appealed for permission with reasonable restrictions at Rabindra Sarobar again. But no permission has been granted so far,” said Rashtriya Bihari Samaj president Mani Prasad Singh.Subhas Dutta, environment-crusader and petitioner against organizing Chhath Puja at Lake, said, “I am sure Chhath Puja would not be performed at Lake this year. If it is held, it would be in serious contempt of the court order and a number of officials will be held liable for the violation. I spoke with the authorities about the lake and everyone told me they would ensure that the NGT order is honoured.”The ban order was delivered on November 3, 2016, following a petition by Dutta, who submitted that the rituals over the past few years had polluted the sprawling waterbody . Dutta said there is no room for confusion and the order is categorical in banning all puja and social events on the premises.Even RBS cannot deny that the stipulations set by NGT would prevent them from observing any puja on the Lake premises. “The festivities begin on Sunday and it is unlikely we will be given permission to organize Chhath at Rabindra Sarobar this year. We will approach the authorities again on Monday and press for the permission. If they reject us, we would like to know the reasons. This year, due to paucity of time, we could not file a revision appeal on the NGT order. However, we will do so in the coming days. That, however, can only be done after the Chhath Puja concludes on Wednesday morning.“The state had backed us last time, but has not stood by us now. Therefore, we do not expect miracles overnight. Misinformation has been spread about Chhath Puja polluting the Lake and its surroundings. This is wrong. It is unfortunate that Chhath cannot be held at Rabindra Sarobar. I don’t know where the thousands of devotees will go now,” Singh added.

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