Furthermore, the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrates shall ensure that, in accordance with the directives issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, no permission is granted for the use of any loudspeakers or similar devices during the 15-day period immediately preceding examination days.
**Ban on Loudspeakers Within District Limits**
The orders also stipulate that within the territorial limits of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district—notwithstanding the possession of a valid permit for the operation of loudspeakers or any other musical instruments—a complete ban shall remain in force from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM on the operation or playing of the aforementioned sound systems and musical instruments at any building or location, with the sole exception of cultural and religious occasions. Additionally, the sound level of private sound systems and noise-generating devices shall not exceed 5 dB(A). The orders further state that should the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar receive a complaint regarding noise pollution from any individual within their respective sub-division, the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate—in collaboration with the concerned Deputy Superintendent of Police and the Environmental Engineer of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (Hoshiarpur)—shall visit the site in question.
They shall conduct a necessary inquiry into the complaint; if the complaint is found to be substantiated, they shall—in accordance with the guidelines of the Honorable Court and the relevant Act—remove and take into their custody any sound system or musical instrument cited in the complaint as the source of noise pollution. Furthermore, they shall dispose of the complaint by initiating appropriate legal action at their level against any individual found to be in violation of the specified Act and the present order. The District Magistrate has further stated that, following the procurement of permission from the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate, the sound levels of loudspeakers, audio systems, musical instruments, etc.—wherever utilized—must remain confined within the boundaries of the program venue, religious site, or building premises. Furthermore, these sound levels must not exceed the prescribed standards (specific to the respective location) as outlined in the notification dated February 14, 2000, issued by the Government of India under the ‘Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.’ This order shall remain in force from May 21 to July 20.
Exercising the powers vested in him under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Protection Act, 2023, District Magistrate Gulpreet Singh Aulakh has imposed a ban on the use of loudspeakers by any individual—or by any NGO, private social group, temple, mosque, gurdwara institution, commercial establishment, or organization—during various programs held within any building, public space, open area, or *pandal*. Additionally, a ban has been imposed on the use of DJs, orchestras, musical instruments, etc., at any time during wedding ceremonies or celebratory occasions held at marriage palaces, clubs, hotels, open grounds, and similar venues.
Whether by day or by night, such equipment shall not be operated without the written permission of the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate, subject to the conditions stipulated in the Punjab Instruments (Control of Noise) Act, 1956. Furthermore, upon obtaining such written permission, the applicant shall furnish an undertaking ensuring that the sound level does not exceed 10 dB(A).
