Punjab govt to convene all-party meet on noise pollution: CM

Chandigarh: Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today said the state government would soon convene an all-party meeting to deliberate on ways to check the menace of noise pollution caused by loudspeakers and public address system.

Intervening in a Calling Attention raised by Aam Aadmi Party MLA Aman Arora, the chief minister said the issue was a matter of grave public concern and warranted a serious discussion.

Expressing concern over the implications of noise pollution, the chief minister said the norms on the issue were being flouted blatantly, especially in the case of DJs at social functions, which result in inconvenience and disturbance to students.

The chief minister had earlier authorised Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa to reply on the call attention on noise pollution.

However, sensing the gravity of the issue and responding to the AAP MLA’s insistence on a reply from the chief minister, Singh intervened to assure the House that his government would take inputs from various political parties and evolve a consensus on finding a permanent solution to the problem.

The chief minister pointed out that there were guidelines under the Noise Pollution Regulation and Control Rules-2000 issued by the Government of India and, in accordance with the provisions of the Punjab Instruments Control of Noise Act, 1956, comprehensive guidelines had already been notified for the regulation of noise/sound pollution.

Underlining the need to enforce these guidelines in letter and spirit, he said the authorities should strictly comply with these guidelines in the larger public interest.