JUDGMENT
Jawahar Lal Gupta, C.J.
1. Is the addition of Clause (3) to R.5 of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 as made vide notification dated October 11, 2002 illegal? This is the short question that arises for consideration in this case.
2. Learned Counsel for the petitioner has contended that the prescribed procedure has not been followed. The power is capable of being abused. Thus, the impugned notification, a copy of which has been produced as Ext.P2, deserves to be annulled. The claim as made on behalf of the petitioner has been controverted by the counsel for the respondents.
3. The statutory provisions may be noticed.
4. The Central Government had notified the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. A copy of these Rules has been produced as Ext.Pl. Under R.3(3), the State Government “was empowered” to take measures for abatement of noise including noise emanating from vehicular movements and ensure that the existing noise levels do not exceed the ambient air quality standards specified under the rules. Rule 5 as framed by the Central Government provides as under:
“5. Restrictions on the use of loudspeakers/public address system.-
(1) A loudspeaker or a public address system shall not be used except after obtaining written permission from the authority.
(2) The loudspeaker or public address system shall not be used at night (between 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.) except in closed premises for communication within, e.g. auditorium, conference rooms, community halls and banquet halls.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in Sub-rule(2), the State Government may, subject to such terms and conditions as are necessary to reduce noise pollution, permit use of loudspeakers or public address systems during night hours (between 10.00 p.m. to 12.00 midnight) on or during any cultural or religious occasion of a limited duration not exceeding fifteen days in all during a calendar year.”
A perusal of the above provision shows that under Clause (3), the State Government has been empowered to “permit use of loudspeakers or public address systems during night hours (between 10 p.m. to 12.00 midnight) on or during any cultural or religious occasion of a limited duration not exceeding fifteen days……..”. Thus, the State Government is competent to permit the use of loudspeakers or public address systems even during the period from 10.00 p.m. to 12.00 midnight, This is precisely what has been done by the State Government by the impugned notification. The following provision has been added after Sub-rule 2:
“(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in Sub-rule (2), the State Government may, subject to such terms and conditions as are necessary to reduce noise pollution, permit use of loudspeakers or public address systems during night hours (between 10.00 p.m. to 12.00 midnight) on or during any cultural or religious festive occasion of a limited duration not exceeding fifteen days in all during a calender year.”
5. Learned Counsel for the petitioner contends that under the provisions of R.5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules 1986, the State Government was required to notify the proposal and to invite objections.
6. The contention is misconceived. A perusal of the provision contained in R.5 of the 1986 Rules shows that the Central Government has been empowered to impose prohibition or restriction on the location of an industry etc. While placing this restriction, it is required to issue a notification and give an opportunity to the interested persons to file objections. In the present case, the Central Government has not made any modification or placed any restriction in exercise of the power under Rule 5 of the 1986 Rules. Thus, the question of giving any notice or invite any objections did not arise. In fact, the State Government has framed the rules in exercise of the power available to it under the Act and the Rules. No provision has been pointed out which may require the State Government to give an opportunity to the citizens to raise objections. Still further, a perusal of the provision contained in Rule 5 as enacted by the Central Government in the year 2000 clearly shows that the State Governments were empowered to permit use of the loudspeakers between 10.00 p.m. to 12 midnight during any cultural or religious occasions. This is precisely what has been done by the State Government. Its action is in strict conformity with the stipulation contained in Clause (3) of Rule 5 as framed by the Central Government.
7. Faced with this situation, learned Counsel for the petitioner has contended that even in Churches, the use of microphone has been frowned upon by the courts. Learned Counsel has made reference to three decisions. The first of these was delivered by Their Lordships of the Supreme Court in Church of God v. K.K.R. Majestic Colony Welfare Association (2000 (3) KLT 651 (SQ). In this case, Their Lordships were pleased to hold that the sound has to be within the prescribed limits. There is no quarrel with the proposition. The prescribed standards regarding level of sound have not been varied or violated by the State Government while issuing the impugned notification. The counsel has then referred to a Division Bench Judgment of this court in Anand Parthasarathy v. State of Kerala (2000 (1) KLT 566). In this case, the Bench had taken the view that ‘noise is a pollutant’. Thus, restrictions regarding the noise levels shall also be attracted when fire works or crackers etc., are used. Again, the case has no relevance to the facts of the present case. The decision does not show that a provision like the one made in the present case is illegal. The last decision referred to by the learned Counsel is Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action v. Union of India and Ors. (JT 1996 (4) SC 263). This case related to an amendment with regard to the raising of construction in the coastal zone area. The case has no relevance at all to the facts of the present case.
8. Learned Counsel has then contended that the impugned provision contains no guidelines. Thus, the power is capable of being abused.
9. This contention is also misconceived. On a perusal of the provision, it is obvious that the permission can be granted only during religious festivals or for cultural programmes. It is limited to a total of 15 days during a Calendar year. The provision is not vague or lacking in any guidelines.
10. No other point has been raised.
In view of the above, we find no merit in this petition. It is consequently dismissed. No costs.
