Mumbai, April 11 The Solapur district administration in Maharashtra has mandated prior permission for the installation of statues, memorials, and flagpoles, citing an increase in unauthorized constructions that could lead to law and order issues and social tensions.
A directive to this effect was issued on Thursday by the District Collector and District Magistrate, in coordination with police and administrative officials at the district and sub-divisional levels.
The order stated that "the installation of statues in public places is a highly sensitive matter and must be undertaken strictly through a legal process and only after obtaining prior permission from the competent authority," and outlined a detailed procedure and documentation requirements.
According to the administration, several incidents of unauthorized installation of statues of prominent personalities were reported across the Solapur district over the past month. Such activities, it noted, have the potential to create law and order problems and may lead to social or caste-based tensions, necessitating stricter and coordinated enforcement.
The circular refers to existing state government resolutions and reiterates that the installation of statues must comply with the prescribed norms, including submission of applications, land ownership or no-objection certificates, approvals from local bodies, police reports on law and order implications, and clearances from relevant authorities such as the public works department.
It further mandates that local officials, including 'police patils' (village-level officials acting as an intermediary between villagers and the police) and village-level administrative officers, must promptly inform the authorities about any potential unauthorized activity. Failure to report such developments could invite disciplinary action under relevant laws.
The administration has also laid down a strict enforcement mechanism for the removal of unauthorized structures. It directs that upon receiving information, concerned officials, including revenue, police, and development authorities, must jointly visit the site within an hour and initiate removal within a maximum of four hours to prevent escalation.
Additionally, surveillance measures, such as videography and drone monitoring, have been prescribed to identify those responsible for illegal installations, with instructions to register offences within 24 hours against violators.
The circular directed a coordinated action among departments and called for accountability at all levels to ensure compliance with rules and to maintain public order.