The Hindu Business Line : Bengal bans use of speakers during exam season

POLITICAL parties in West Bengal may have to devise newer ways of reaching out to people with the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) issuing a circular banning the use of amplifiers in certain areas during the ongoing `exam season'.

The circular, issued by the member secretary, WBPCB, has urged all district magistrates and superintendents of police not to permit any open air function using sound boxes and amplifiers in residential areas or areas where educational institutions are situated during the period of secondary and higher secondary examinations.

WBPCB sources said that the circular was issued in exercise of the powers conferred to the board under the Air Prevention & Control of Pollution Act, 1981 as well as the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

There is also a High Court order in respect of sound pollution through use of amplifiers and sound boxes, sources said.

Not only are the State-level secondary and higher secondary examinations being held now, but also almost all schools are holding their annual examinations as well as other board-level examinations such as the CBSE and the ISC.

These exams began last week and are slated to continue till the first week of April.

The State goes to the polls on May 10.

The WBPCB has banned the use of loudspeakers between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. A one-hour relaxation (in the night) is in force for political parties who can use amplifiers before any poll process.

The present circular puts a curb on this facility too.

However, success on this score (of checking the use of loudspeakers near hospitals and schools) has been somewhat limited, with the 1997 order being observed more in breach.

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