People asked to switch to clay Ganesha idols

Khammam: District Joint Collector T Vinay Krishna Reddy has directed the officials concerned to make proper arrangements for the Ganesh Festival on August 25.

At a meeting with the officials of various departments and members of Ganesh Utsav Committee at Collectorate in Khammam on Friday, the Joint Collector ordered the officials to make elaborate arrangements for the festival.

He advised the members of the Ganesh Utsav Committee to take permission by submitting the applications from the ACP office for the establishment of Ganesh pandals by August 22, along with taking necessary steps for prevention of fire accidents in the pandals.

Urging the members of the Ganesh Utsav Committee to prefer clay idols over the ones made with plaster of paris, the Joint Collector directed the officials to take all necessary steps for smooth immersion at Bokkalagadda and Prakashnagar areas. He said tight security arrangements must be made on the day of immersion.

He further ordered the officials of Excise department to issue orders for closure of wine shops two days prior to immersion. DRO Shiva Srinivas, ACP Ganesh, RDO Purnachandra, City Commissioner Srinivas, ADE of Electricity Department Balaji, GENCO fire Officer Reymond Babu, MRO Sri Latha and others attended the meeting.