Durga Puja organisers of Ranchi on Sunday asked for a 25 per cent increase in the quota of commodities like sugar and kerosene, which are released to them by the district administration during the festival.
Office bearers of Ranchi Mahanagar Shri Durga Puja Samiti, the umbrella body of all puja committees in the state capital, at a news meet convened on Sunday claimed that their demands were justified as the number of visitors thronging the pandals had increased considerably over the years. Hence, a hike in quota of commodities, like sugar, was the only way they could meet the increased demand for prasad for the devotees.
The samiti members also said that since hundreds of residents hopped between pandals during Durga Puja, the authorities should ensure uninterrupted power supply and set up flood lights and halogen lamps at strategic locations. Sodium vapour lamps that had gone out of order should also be replaced before the puja, they demanded.
"The drinking water and sanitation department and the Ranchi Municipal Corporation should ensure that water tankers are stationed at important locations of the city for the convenience of the residents," said president of the samiti krishna Yadav.
He added that to keep a tab on the law and order situation during the puja, the police should also open sub control rooms that are connected to the main one and keep fire tenders on stand-by.
"Considering the past incidents of chain snatching the police should also post lady constables at all puja pandals," Yadav said.
Ajit Sahay, co-ordinator of the samiti, who among others was also present during the news meet, said they had put in a request with all puja committees that they should avoid playing Bollywood numbers at high decibels for the sake of law and order.
A request has also been sent to the traffic police department to cordon off certain roads to facilitate the movement of crowds.
