Single window clearance to install idols

Responding to a batch of writ petitions seeking to simplify the procedures advocate general Vijay Narayan informed Justice R Mahadevan hearing the case that in bid to simplify the process it has been worked out to offer permission through a single window system in just three days of the application being made to the assistant commissioners in cities and DSPs in districts.

However, the counsels appearing for petitioners like Hindu Munnani and other outfits sought the court to direct the state to revert to earlier practice of offering permission and not insist on such a stringent guideline since based on such regulations Vinayaka Chaturthi cannot be held. They said station house officers should be authorised to grant permission as persons living in remote villages would be unable to travel distances to obtain permission and it would be difficult to obtain such clearances ahead of Vinayaka Chaturthi on September 13.

However, while Justice Mahadevan on observing that hearing the case as a single judge he cannot reverse the guidelines issued by a division bench, the councils insisted that High Court had merely issued guidelines to be followed and the state had merely resorted to making all the guidelines as rules. 

However, the judge on insisted that power connections for the pandals ought to be obtained from either a house or shop nearby with due permission along with consumer number. A detailed order is expected to be delivered on Wednesday.