The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had decided to implement the CPCB rules regarding the material used to make Ganesh idols at a meeting held in May, in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

It was also decided that Ganesh idols for households will have to be less than four feet tall. According to sources, the civic body had conveyed this message to all sculptors and idol-makers in the city

Shelar held a meeting with idol makers on Sunday where he backed the use of POP for idols. “This is a huge industry, having a turnover of Rs 70,000-Rs 80,000 crore. There are scores of people dependent on the industry and any attempt to ban POP idols is not in public interest, not in the interest of Maharashtra and not in the interest of the country either. Scientists have said POP idols can be dissolved scientifically, without causing any harm to the environment. The government should think along these lines,” he said

According to Shelar, he has already briefed CM Shinde and civic chief Iqbal Singh Chahal regarding the issue, and there have been positive discussions. “We are taking a stand to ensure that the employment of Marathi people does not end,” he said

According to Mumbai Murtikar Sanghatna President Vasant Raje, the decision to ban POP idols has been taken by the CPCB and there is no point in protesting against it. “Sculptors in Mumbai are making clay idols.POP idols come from outside the city. We are in favour of making eco-friendly idols,” he said