Karnataka governmrnt to put restrictions on height of idols during procession: D K Shivakumar

Bengaluru: Close on the heels of five youth who had gone for the immersion of Ganesha idols last week getting electrocuted, Energy Minister, D. K. Shivakumar on Monday declared that the state government was contemplating restricting the height of festival arches and idols to eight feet or nine feet in order to prevent such accidents.

Speaking to reporters at the Karanataka Pradesh Congress Committee office (KPCC) here, Mr Shivakumar said, ‘‘These kind of accidents have occurred in the past and recently too. The Energy department had a plan to curb the height of the idol and the arch. But, we did not implement it during this festival,’’ he said.

“After studying the rules and regulations formed to restrict immersion of idols by various Municipal corporations in the state and elsewhere, we (Energy department) too have made up our minds to restrict the height of the idols.’’ The minister added that he would soon convene a meeting with the Home department and other important departments concerned to frame rules in the days to come.