Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Dec 2: Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district Ravi Kumar M R said he has relaxed the curbs on use of loudspeakers for Kateel Yakshagana mela in the district till 12 midnight.

The Supreme Court had banned use of loudspeakers after 10 pm. The devotees of Kateel Durgaparameshwari Prasadita Yakshagana Mandali had submitted a memorandum demanding relaxation on use of loudspeakers after 10 pm.

The DC has also informed that he held meetings with the Kateel temple authorities and the devotees and decided to relax the restrictions till 12 midnight for Yakshagana shows.

“Seeking to relax restrictions to keep Yakshagana performances out of the ban imposed on the use of loudspeakers after 10 pm, I have convened a meeting with the Kateel temple authorities and the devotees and decided to relax the restrictions till 12 midnight for Yakshagana shows,” the deputy commissioner said.

After Kateel Durgaparameshwari Prasadita Yakshagana Mandali truncated the duration of all-night Yakshagana performances to short duration performances, devotees had raised objections to it and argued that Yakshagana performances was more of devotion.

"Suitable decision will be taken if I get any representation for relaxing the use of loudspeakers for Daivaradhane and other religious rituals in the night," he said in reply to a question.

Ravi Kumar also informed that if any other Yakshagana mela submits an application seeking permission for using loudspeakers the district administration will look into it.

He also informed that permits for traditional sand extractors in CRZ areas will be given within the next two to three days.

Already, the district administration has identified 142 traditional sand extractors. As many as 52 applications are pending verification.

The Assistant Commissioner has been instructed to verify whether the applicants are traditional sand extractors or not. Within a couple of days permits will be issued, he said.

As many as 18 sites have been identified in non-CRZ areas for sand extraction. The tenders will be called shortly, he said.

Ravi Kumar said the district administration has sand dunes in 18 places, adding that "we are waiting for environmental clearance for its extraction", he said.
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About 10 lakh metric tonnes of it is available in non- CRZ areas, he added.

Reacting to the allegation that sand is being transported illegally outside the district to Kerala, the DC said "During the late night I have visited border areas to check the sand transportation. I have slapped notices on two or three of such trucks which were transporting sand to Kerala."