The Fire Brigade has fixed Rs 2500 only for inspection of the pandal where idol of Ganpati Bappa will be installed. Ironically, the Fire Department charges mere Rs 500 for inspection of temporary firecrackers shop during Diwali festivity.
Nagpur: The Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals this year will have to cough up huge amount for obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from various agencies. The Fire Brigade has fixed Rs 2500 only for inspection of the pandal where idol of Ganpati Bappa will be installed. Ironically, the Fire Department charges mere Rs 500 for inspection of temporary firecrackers shop during Diwali festivity. The vast difference in charges has led the brewing of discontent among hundreds of Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals as they see no rationale in fixing Rs 2500 as inspection charges. The 10-day Ganesh festivity will be followed by Navratri, Shardautsav and mandals have started seeing red on the exorbitant charge.
The Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals have not only to remit fire charges but also have to pay different charges on various counts such as erection of pandals, welcome arches, electricity, water connections etc. In sum, each mandal has to pay at least Rs 8000-10,000 towards charges and security deposits. Apart from Rs 2500 inspection charge, fire service charge at the rate of Rs 5 per square foot will be recovered from Ganesh Mandals. Security deposits for different services is another burden. When a firecracker shop can be set for the charges of Rs 1500, including fire inspection and police license, the rationale behind charging the hefty amounts for Ganesh Mandals is beyond understanding of common people.
Inspection charges be waived off: Totwani
The senior BJP Corporator Prakash Totwani has said that the festivity is celebrated once a year. Hence the recovery of various charges is illogical. This aspect could dampen the enthusiasm of small time Ganesh mandals and even limit the celebrations to few pockets as well. The fixing of inspection charges by Fire Department is totally wrong and unacceptable, too. This inspection charge should be waived, Totwani demanded.
