The Hindu Business Line : Floods in Mumbai dampen contributions to Ganesh mandals

THE 11-day Ganpati festival is expected to consume Rs 1,500-2,000 crore by the time lakhs of idols get immersed in all likely waterways in and around the city on September 17.

Yes, the festivities have begun in earnest, but the recent floods have left its mark, somewhat muting the calls of `Ganpati Bappa Morya'. The celebrations are more subdued than usual, at least much quieter in decibel terms due to a recent judicial diktat banning the use of loudspeakers after 10 p.m.

According to Mr Jayant Salgaonkar, President of All-Maharashtra Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandals, public contributions - the mainstay of Ganesh Mandals - have taken a hit this year. The collections have dropped by 25 to 30 per cent in the city and by 50 per cent in the suburbs, he said.

By a rough estimate there are about 8, 000 to 10,000 Ganesh Mandals in Mumbai but the only 3,700 are officially registered. Therefore, one can only make a guess as to the expenditure incurred during the festival, Mr Salgaonkar said.

The task of auditing the balance sheets of the Ganesh Mandals falls under the purview of the charity commissioner's office. It is learnt that even this falls under the realms of the impossible, given the number of unregistered mandals that spring up each year.

This year, the Ganesh Mandals are under a virtual siege by the State Government. The police permission, which were easy to come by, have been replaced by a more complicated permit processes. Now even details regarding vehicles that will transport idols on the immersion day are being sought.

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