On Monday, the HC had sought state’s response during the final hearing of a PIL to implement Central Pollution Control Board’s 2020 revised guidelines that ban plaster of Paris idols

Mumbai: State govt on Wednesday told Bombay high court it has called for a meeting on July 31 to consider PM Narendra Modi’s appeal during Sunday’s Mann Ki Baat radio programme to use only eco-friendly clay idols during the ensuing Ganesh festival.A bench of Justices Ajey Gadkari and Kamal Khata were informed by advocate general Milind Sathe that “the meeting will be held by the chief minister.”On Monday, the HC had sought state’s response during the final hearing of a PIL to implement Central Pollution Control Board’s 2020 revised guidelines that ban plaster of Paris (PoP) idols. Last year, after CPCB clarified its guidelines were advisory in nature, the HC allowed idols more than 6ft tall to be immersed in natural water bodies such as rivers, lakes and seas, as per the state’s immersion policy.Advocate Uday Warunjikar, for an association of PoP artisans, argued that following CPCB’s clarification even immersing idols below 6ft in height in artificial tanks has no statutory backing. He said it is not possible to prepare clay idols beyond 6ft height. Asked to consider a suggestion for symbolic immersion and to take back the idol for recycling, Warunjikar said, “It is an essential religious practice to immerse the idol in water. That is no solution.”The judges said they are looking at the issue of harm to the environment and also likely harm for future generations and not on manufacture of PoP idols. “Prepare 15 ft, 20 ft, 40 ft. Take it to the shore. Do not put it in natural water…,” said Justice Khata.The arguments will continue on Thursday.