Did Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Just Announce Free Electricity for Ramlila Pandals?

New Delhi, Sep 6 (NationPress) In an exciting announcement, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta declared on Saturday that committees responsible for organizing Ramlila performances across the city will receive 1,200 units of electricity free of charge from the government, alongside a reduction in security deposits for land allocations.

Following a meeting with representatives from various Ramlila and Durga Puja organizing committees, the CM revealed that one day during the Ramlila and Durga Puja festivities will be set aside to honor Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This initiative is part of the Seva Pakhwada that will commence on September 17 (marking PM Modi's 75th birthday) and run until October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti).

Furthermore, the Chief Minister elaborated that all necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs) required by organizing committees from departments like the DDA, MCD, Delhi Jal Board, and Fire Services will now be issued through a single-window system.

Each year, approximately 600 Ramlilas are performed throughout the city, with around 100 being organized on a grand scale.

In addition, the security deposit for land allocation has been reduced from Rs 20 to Rs 15 per square meter, as stated by the CM.

Organizing committees will now only need to pay 25 percent of the security deposit for electricity connections, significantly lowering previous charges.

With Navratri set to begin on September 22, large-scale Ramlila performances are expected to take place across Delhi, and this reform will facilitate the resolution of all formalities at the district level via the District Magistrate’s office.

In a significant move to preserve and promote the city’s cultural and religious heritage, CM Rekha Gupta held a meeting with Ramlila and Durga Puja committees at the Delhi Secretariat.

Cabinet Ministers Ashish Sood and Kapil Mishra, along with senior officials and respected representatives of festival committees, attended the meeting.

In recent years, Ramlila organizers faced challenges such as delays in land acquisition and obtaining necessary permissions. However, with the new single-window system led by the District Magistrate, all required NOCs for Ramlila performances will now be issued from a single location.

The CM also announced the formation of a six-member committee to effectively address any festival-related issues, ensuring comprehensive arrangements at festival venues, including cleanliness drives, fogging, sanitation facilities, medical support, fire safety, police deployment, and traffic management.

In her address to committee members, the Chief Minister encouraged organizers to utilize the platforms of Ramlila and Durga Puja to disseminate vital messages in the national and public interest.

She stated, “It's essential to communicate messages on environmental issues and appeals in the interest of the nation, either before the performance begins or at its conclusion, so that audiences leave with a positive takeaway.”

Additionally, during Navratri, as part of the ongoing Seva Pakhwada initiated by the Delhi Government, activities such as medical camps, cleanliness drives, and awareness programs should be organized at Ramlila venues.