Single window clearance for Vinayaka Chathurthi: TN govt to HC

The Tamil Nadu government Tuesday informed the Madras High Court that a single window system would be in place to process the applications seeking permission for installation of Lord Ganesh idols and taking out processions for the upcoming Vinayaka Chathurthi festival.

The government accepted the suggestion for the single window clearance made by Justice R Mahadevan earlier for ensuring a trouble-free process.

"In cities, the respective jurisdictional Assistant Commissioner of Police will receive the applications and in rural areas, it will be the Deputy Superintendents of Police," state Advocate General Vijay Narayan said.

He made the submissions before Justice Mahadevan who was hearing a batch of petitions seeking relaxation of conditions imposed by the government on installation and immersion of idols.

Agreeing to relax the condition to get temporary electricity connection, the A-G submitted that the organisers can take power supply from a neighbouring house or a shop, provided they get a written consent.

As to the restrictions on height of the idols and vehicles used for processions, it was agreed that reasonable conditions could be applied.

Recording the submission, the judge made it clear that illegal tapping of electricity would not be tolerated.

The judge then said he would pass appropriate orders incorporating all the submissions Wednesday.

The conditions imposed by the government included application with the appropriate authority at least one month prior to the event, ban on use of bullock carts, and tapping power from houses and shops.

Claiming that many of the conditions were impractical, the petitioners approached the high court.