Lok Sabha Question No. 1769 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-20
Subject: Disposal of Worship Idols
Ministry: DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
Asked by: SATYA PAL SINGH

## Government of India Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1769 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20-12-2018

## Disposal of Worship Idols

## †1769. SHRI SATYAPAL SINGH:

Will the Minister of DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION be pleased to state :

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  scheme  to  allocate  a  separate  spot 'Samaagridan' for disposing of items used during worship and immersion of small idols since as per Hindu rituals these are considered holy and cannot be disposed off in dustbins, if so,the details thereof;

(b) whether there is ban on disposing of worship material and immersed small idols in the rivers and fence had already been installed along the rivers, if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  new  scheme  to  create  awareness  among people  in  the  rural  areas  as  it  is  often  seen  that  the  people  in  the  rural  areas  do  not  use dustbins; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION (SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI)

(a) and (b) The  Central  Pollution  Control  Board  (CPCB)  has  brought  out  specific guidelines on prevention and control of pollution in rivers and other water bodies from idol immersion, andhave been circulated to all the States and Union Territories for implementation.    These guidelines prescribe that the State Pollution control  Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution  Control  Committees  (PCCs)  conduct  water  quality  assessment  of  the water body  before and after immersions, post the data on internet and help local administration  in  preparing  material  for  mass  awareness  for  the  purpose.    Further,  the guidelines  prescribe  that  idols  be  made  from  natural  materials  like  traditional  clay,  water soluble  and  non-toxic  natural  dyes  be  used  for  painting  of  idols,  worship  material  like flowers,  clothes,  decorating  material  (made  of  paper  and  plastic)  be  removed  before immersion of idols, biodegradable materials collected separately for recycling or composting, non-biodegradable materials disposed off in sanitary landfills, immersion of idols in river be done  at  identified  idol  immersion  spots  along  the  river  bank  in  temporary  ponds  having earthen bunds with removable synthetic liners at bottom, etc.

(c)  to  (d)  Ministry  of  Drinking  Water  and  Sanitation  as  part  of  Swachh  Bharat  Mission (Gramin)  creates  awareness  on  safe  disposal  of  solid  and  liquid  waste  in  the  villages. Intensive  awareness campaigns and  interventions are undertaken as part of the program to educate  people  on  safe  disposal  of  solid  and  liquid  waste.  Financial  assistance  to  Gram Panchayats are also provided to supplement the efforts of the State Governments to undertake solid  and  liquid  waste  management  works  in  Gram  Panchayats/villages.SBM(G)guidelines suggests for collection and segregation of solid wastes and disposal of biodegradable waste through composting.