Ahead of festive season set to begin by month end, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday announced a series of measures to support Ramleela and Durga pandal committees. The measures include free electricity, single-window no-objectionable certificates (NOC) and enhanced civic facilities.
After meeting representatives of Ramleela committees, Gupta said the Delhi government will provide 1,200 units of free electricity, while meters will be installed on just 25 per cent security deposit. "This is a welcoming and happy news for all the Ramleela and Durga pandal committees," besides festivities of Dushhera , she said. She further said that public amenities such as toilets, security arrangements, healthcare services, ambulances and fire brigades will be ensured at the venues.
A 'single window system' has been put in place for getting permissions from various departments, including getting police permission, No Objection Certificates (NOC), fire brigades, arranging ambulances etc. "We have decided that just as assistance was provided to Delhi's committees in the Kanwar camps, in the same manner, the Delhi government will gift 1200 units of electricity on its behalf to all Ramlila committees as well. With that, people will be submitting only 25 per cent of the security deposit to get electricity meters.
The same provisions will apply to all Ramlila committees and Durga pandals in Delhi," Delhi CM said.Earlier, CM Rekha Gupta chaired the preparatory meeting for Ramlila and Durga Pooja celebrations in the capital at Delhi Secretariat. Ramlila celebrations typically start 10 days before Dusshera, which falls on October 2 this year. Similarly, Durga puja is set to begin from September 28, and go on till October 2. Typically, celebrations start a week before and continue till the end of the festival. The event saw the participation of various members of the pandals and committees.
"Along with this, preparations for toilets, ensuring security, health, ambulances, fire brigades, NOC (No Objection Certificate) will be given through a single window system. The Delhi government will help the people in all the ways. We will also make sure that cleanliness is maintained. We have formed a committee that will inform us if any kind of problem arises," she added.Diwali festivities will also be better for the people after the announcement of GST reform by the Central government, Delhi CM said.During the preparatory meeting held earlier today, the Delhi CM emphasised the importance of security, traffic management, and electricity provisions.
Dussehra is that time of the year when the well-known Ramleela is held, massive fairs are organized and people gather in large numbers to see Raavan effigies burst into flames. Dusshera falls on the tenth day of Sharada Navratri, however, despite the fact that celebrations and cultural practices vary according to the location in India's culturally rich country, the festival's fabric that binds everyone together remains.