Madurai: The Madurai bench of the Madras HC on Monday issued a set of directions to the state government and the public aimed at regulating noise pollution at public places. The court said that the state government should strictly implement the provisions of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, failing which the authorities concerned should take appropriate action against the users of cone speakers / loudspeakers in public places and/or in religious places. The court said that those who conducted public meetings should also scrupulously follow the directions while using sound systems. This meant that political parties who often conducted public meetings will now have to follow noise control norms. The ruling was given by Justice R Mahadevan in a case filed by C Jeyaraman, secretary, Ashtalakshmi Nagar, its extension and R K Puram kudiyiruppor nala sangam (residents welfare association) in Trichy seeking action against Fr Susai Raj of Arputha Kulanthai Yesu Alayam of Kattoor in Trichy. Petitioner's counsel T Senthilkumar said the priest was conducting prayers all day using banned cone type loudspeakers by keeping them permanently aimed at eight directions. The petitioner had requested Trichy district collector, corporation commissioner and the police to stop the noise pollution which had become a big menace. Since no action was taken on it, the counsel prayed for action against the priest. Supporting the cause, some lawyers submitted in the open court that the problem of noise pollution caused by loudspeakers had been prevalent across the state. Government advocate J Gunaseelan Muthiah informed the court that the authorities had held peace a committee meeting at which the father of the church agreed to remove the cone speakers and to conduct prayers in a peaceful manner without causing noise pollution. Recording it, the court said that considering the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case and keeping in mind the submissions of the advocates it was inclined to issue certain directions / guidelines to regulate noise pollution in public and other places. "In the interest of general public and more particularly, the children and aged persons, the use of cone speakers / loudspeakers in public places shall be banned / restricted forthwith. The government should ensure that the usage of any other sound systems would be within the permitted parameters," the judge said. He also called for holding awareness campaigns among the public in this regard.