Lakhimpur district administration sets strict guidelines for Durga Puja celebration

LAKHIMPUR: The Lakhimpur district administration has set strict guidelines for the puja committees of the district with regard to holding Durga Puja which will be celebrated from October 22 to October 26.

In this regard, a crucial meeting in the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner's office was held in the presence of the representatives of the puja committees. The meeting commenced with Deputy Commissioner Dr. Jeevan B in the chair. In the meeting, Dr. Jeevan B laid stress on organizing the traditional festival by adapting all necessary measures to check the transmission of COVID-19 pandemic to secure the health of the common people.

As per resolution taken in the meeting, this year the Puja Committees cannot seek permission from the district administration directly in order to hold the Puja, but they must apply for the permission through a general puja committee for a specified place. For this purpose, the DC called upon the representatives of the Puja Committees to constitute a general puja committee in their respective places.

Moreover, the use of Plaster of Paris (PoP) is prohibited this year while making the Durga idols. Instead of it, the sculptors must use local materials and natural colours to make the idols.

The Police Department of the district has prohibited the holding of the Puja just on the roadside. In this regard, Lakhimpur Superintendent of Police Rajveer Singh, attending the meeting, said the puja mandaps would have to be set up 100 metre to 500 metre away from the roads. Moreover, the Puja Committees must install close circuit camera in the puja mandaps.

Further, the district administration has restricted the gathering of over 50 people near the puja mandaps. The devotees must wear face masks and use hand sanitizers while entering the puja mandaps.

In the meeting, the puja committees were instructed to submit the lists of their members and volunteers to the Police Station or Outpost concerned. These enlisted members and volunteers must get themselves COVID-19 tested before taking part in puja mandaps. They cannot allow more than 15 people to enter the puja mandaps at a time.

Moreover, the puja committes are restricted from organizing cultural programme, commercial fair and playing music in high volume. The worship can be continued up to 10 pm every day. Taking out any procession while going to immerse the Durga idols is also restricted. Only the permitted members and volunteers of the puja committees can be present in the idol immersion site.

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