Loudspeaker use: Home min now passes the buck to Centre

After promising new guidelines on use of loudspeakers, state home minister Dilip Walse Patil tossed the ball into the Centre's court on Monday, saying it should decide on the norms which could then be implemented by states.

- Priyanka Kakodkar

His comment came after an all-party meeting called to discuss the issue which has flared up following MNS chief Raj Thackeray's ultimatum against loudspeakers on mosques.

"The Supreme Court has given orders on use of loudspeakers in public places in 2005. In such a scenario it is best if the Centre makes a decision so it can be implemented by all the states," said Walse Patil. The minister said state parties should take a delegation to meet Central leaders and seek a decision. Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde said the issue would be discussed in the cabinet this week. The MVA leadership's comments, purportedly aimed at skirting a communally sensitive issue, made no reference to the Centre's existing Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules which provide the framework for government resolutions in the state.