Question : Uniform law for use of Loudpeakers

(a) whether the Government is aware that there is reportedly abundant noise pollution by way of using loud speakers in the mosques and whether any efforts to ban the use of loudspeakers between 10 pm and 6 am across all the States in the country has been made and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether there should be a ban on the use of loud speakers taking into confidence all the stakeholders and the community members, in the larger interest of all which causes inconvenience and disturbance in the areas within the vicinity of the mosques mainly in the cities; and
(c) whether the Government has a uniform law regarding the use of loudspeakers in all the States with the changing times and practices and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)
(a) to (c) The Government of India has notified the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control), 2000 (Noise Rules) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for the regulation & control of noise producing & generating sources. These rules govern the restriction of the use of loudspeaker, public address systems and sound producing system etc. The Noise Rules may be referred at M/o Environment, Forests & Climate Change’s website: http://moef.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/noise-pollution-rules-en.pdf. The implementation of these rules rests with the authorities of State Government.

The violation of Noise Rules is a criminal offence punishable under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 with imprisonment up to five years and fine up to Rs. 1 lakh.
Vide order dated 6th August, 2019; Hon’ble National Green Tribunal in the matter of Original Application No. 681 of 2018 had inter alia directed the following:
“…Noise Limiters need to be installed on potential noise polluting devices, including retrofitting the existing devices. Appropriate directions be issued by the States/UTs within three months in the same manner as directed by this Tribunal for Delhi vide order dated 01.08.2019 in O.A. No. 519/2016, Hardeep Singh & Ors. vs SDMC & Ors….”
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