BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday directed the State government to submit detailed information on the action taken against institutions which are playing loudspeakers without possessing valid licences in the city.
The court gave this direction while hearing a PIL filed by Jayanagar Residents Welfare Association seeking a ban on the installation of loudspeakers in religious institutions in residential areas on the grounds that they are causing a lot of noise causing nuisance to the public.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramajit Sent and Justice B V Nagarathna observed, “According to the rules, playing loudspeakers without licence is a violation of the law. The government has not taken the action against those who play loudspeakers from 10 pm to 6 am. The public should not be disturbed by the loudspeakers and it is not the applicable to one community, everybody should follow the instructions.”
The government counsel replied that it has taken action in such cases. The bench further stated, “Just taking action does not help. You should create awareness about the ill effects of loudspeakers (among the masses) and address the problems that public are facing.”
The government Counsel replied that the government is planing to create awareness in this regard with the help of NGOs.
The bench directed the government to submit a detailed report within four weeks on the action taken against the institutions which are playing loudspeakers without obtaining licence and adjourned the case.
GP Told Not to Collect Entry Fee
The High Court on Thursday directed Uyyamballi Gram Panchayat not to collect entry fees from tourists who visit Sangama and Mekedatu in Kanakapura taluk of Ramanagaram district. The court gave this direction while hearing a PIL filed in this regard. The petitioners Om Shanthi Dhama Trust alleged that Uyyamblli GP was charging 10 times more entry fee then the actual fee and cheating the public.
They also sought action against the Gram Panchayat. Hearing the petition, Justice Ashok B Hinchigeri directed the Uyyamballi Gram Panchayat not to collect the entry fee and disposed of the petition