Bhubaneswar( Kalinga Voice) : Keeping in view the COVID pandemic situation Odisha Government issued instructions for the observance of Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja, Kali Puja, and another similar puja during the month of September, October, and November 2020. The state Special Relief Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief secretary Pradeep Jena has issued guidelines to all the collectors, municipal commissioners, commissioners of police, twin city and asked to strictly enforce guidelines.
The Collector, municipal commissioners are asked to permission mandatory to hold an observance of Durga Puja, Laxmi Puja, Kali Puja and other similar pujas on pandals. For this the organizers shall apply to and obtain the necessary permission from the District Magistrate or any other officer authorized by him/her for conducting Puja in Puja Pandals/Mandaps. For the area under Commissionerate of Police of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, such permission shall be given by the Commissioner of Police of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar or any other officer authorized by him/her. Immersion procession is disallowed. Puja shall be conducted in indoor-like conditions only for observance of rituals without public participation, pomp, and grandeur . Puja Pandals/Mandaps shall be covered on three sides. The 4th side shall also be covered in a way not to allow any public view of the idols. There shall be no darshan by public/ devotees. The size of idol shall be less than 4 feet. Not more than 7 persons including organizers (Kartas) and priests and support staff be allowed in the Puja Pandal/ Mandap. The persons present at Puja Pandal/Mandap shall follow all COVID protocols of social distancing, mask use, personal hygiene, and sanitation issued by Central/ State Government/ Local Administration in letter and spirit. The idols will be immersed in an artificial pond(s) created by the local administration for the purpose. There shall be no music or any other entertainment program during puja days.
The organizers and other persons involved in conducting the Puja shall abide by any other condition(s) as imposed by Local Administration/ appropriate authority. Any person violating these guidelines, he will be liable to be proceeded against in accordance with the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and Regulations issued thereunder besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC and other legal provisions as applicable, says the letter issued by the SRC.
