K M Dayashankar
Free power supply to all permitted Ganesh PandalsÂ
Officials and Pandal managers work in coordination
CM Revanth Reddy reviews arrangements for the Ganesh festival with the Utsava Committee and officials
Asks officials to adhere to the Supreme Court orders
HYDERABAD, AUGUST 30, 2024: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has ordered the officials to make arrangements for the Ganesh festival in a befitting manner aiming to enhance the image of Hyderabad further during the festival period. The Chief Minister observed that Hyderabad has been known for religious tolerance, peace and tranquillity.
The CM chaired a review on the Ganesh festival and arrangements being made for at the secretariat on Thursday evening. The officials have been asked to pay more focus on three aspects. The Ganesh Pandal Managers have been entrusted with the responsibility of making foolproof arrangements during the Ganesh festivities including the idol immersion. The officials of the police, GHMC, R&B, Water Board, Energy and other key departments will work in coordination with the management of the pandals.
The CM cautioned not to fall into any shortcomings and directed Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari to hand over the responsibilities to zone-wise senior officials and coordinate with festival committee members and pandal managers to ensure peaceful conduct of the idol immersion. The chief minister suggested that the details of the festival committee leaders and officials in those areas should be made available.
The CM said that it is estimated that 1.50 lakh idols were installed inside ORR (Outer Ring Road) last year. The Pandal Managers should take permission online and offline which helps to provide adequate security and traffic management during the festival time. The CM suggested measures to immerse the idols in Hussain Sagar and also other water bodies. The immersion of idols in the local areas in SaroorNagar lake and other ponds will help to reduce the burden on Hussain Sagar. The officials have been asked to make necessary arrangements for immersion at the ponds in advance. In this regard, the Chief Minister suggested that the members of the Ganesh festival committee and the managers should be informed in advance.
Mr Revanth Reddy asked the Utsav committees to inform the local authorities about inviting the chief guests to the programmes in advance. The police department will clear the routes for VVIP arrivals and also arrange adequate security.  Early start of the Ganesh immersion procession will help to complete the programme quickly without any traffic and other problems, the CM said, directing the police to take the suggestions and opinions of the four Lok Sabha members and MLAs in the city limits regarding the conduct of the festival.
The Chief Minister directed the police to chalk out an action plan for making security arrangements and ensure that no problem arises in the entire Telangana on September 16 and September 17. The Milad Un Nabi is celebrated on September 16 and the political parties are planning to hold rallies and programmes on September 17.
The members of Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsava Samiti appealed to the Chief Minister to provide a free power supply to Ganesh Pandals. The Chief Minister responded positively and advised them to apply for free electricity supply. The CM warned of action if anyone one found consuming power without permission. The Chief Minister asserted that the pandal management should take permission and maintain accountability.
Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsava Samiti President G Raghava Reddy requested the CM, since the idol immersion falls on Ananta Chaturdashi on September 17, literature on the importance of the day should be published on behalf of the Endowment department and distributed. In a quick response, the CM ordered Endowments Commissioner Hanumantha Rao to make necessary arrangements.
Rajya Sabha member Anil Kumar Yadav appealed to the Chief Minister to allow the use of DJs in the pandals and the CM said that the government will proceed as per the Supreme Court orders. IT and Industry Minister D Sridhar Babu suggested to the organizers of the Utsava Committee to install eco-friendly idols by the Supreme Court’s directions. State Minister Ponnam Prabhakar explained the details of the meetings held so far, suggestions made by the members of the festival committee and the problems addressed regarding the Ganesh festival. DGP Jitender and Hyderabad City Commissioner Srinivas Reddy briefed the CM about the security arrangements with a 25,000-strong police force. The police officials said that they are coordinating with all the departments. MLC A. V. N. Reddy appealed to the government to promote the use of clay idols and take strict action against those who consume alcohol and create trouble.
Ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao, Damodara Rajanarasimha, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Seethakka, Chief Minister’s Adviser Vem Narender Reddy, Government Advisers Keshav Rao, Shabbir Ali, MP Konda Visweswar Reddy, Mayor G Vijayalakshmi, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari and other top officials are also present in the meeting.
