KARTIK SAHU, OP
Kataka: The Kataka district administration will introduce a single-window system to facilitate the speedy issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and other necessary permissions to Durga Puja committees ahead of the festival. The Kataka Sadar Sub-Collector has been designated as the nodal officer for the system.
The administration has stepped up preparations to ensure that Durga Puja is celebrated peacefully, safely and without inconvenience across the city.
Officials have also been directed to strengthen arrangements at the temporary immersion site at Debigada on the Kathajodi river. Rubber mats or other strong and durable safety materials will be used instead of tarpaulin at the temporary immersion pond this year.
District Collector Dattatraya Bhau Saheb Shinde has directed officials to ensure proper access roads so that idols can be transported to the immersion site smoothly and safely.
The Additional District Magistrate (General) will supervise the overall arrangements. Each concerned department will appoint a nodal officer to scrutinise and process applications submitted by puja committees within the stipulated timeframe.
For the construction of puja pandals and other structures, the Works Department will issue infrastructure safety certificates, while the District Fire Officer (DFO) will issue fire safety certificates and TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL) will provide electrical safety certificates.
With a focus on fire safe ty, trained volunteers will be deployed this year as well, as was done last year.
]The DFO has been directed to ensure that an adequate number of fire extinguishers are installed at all puja mandaps and remain readily accessible in case of an emergency.
In view of visits by VIPs and other dignitaries to puja mandaps during the festive period, puja committees have been asked to maintain close coordination with the administration.
Necessary arrangements will also be made to ensure that the movement of the general public is not disrupted. The administration has urged all puja committees to strictly adhere to the prescribed rules, guidelines and safety standards during Durga Puja and extend full cooperation to the authorities.
A detailed review of the preparations was held recently at a meeting convened by the district administration at the Collector’s conference hall under the chairmanship of District Collector Dattatraya Bhau saheb Shinde.
Kataka Municipal Corporation Commissioner Kirandeep Kaur Sahota, Additional District Magistrate (General) Kamaljit Das, departmental officials, and representatives of the Mahanagar Shanti Committee and Purvanchal Mahanagar Shanti Committee attended the meeting.