Emphasising the priority to human lives, the Maharashtra government has declined permission for multi-tiered 'human pyramids' to various Dahi Handi groups to celebrate the festival next week, officials said here.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Dahi Handi Coordination Committee with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, cabinet ministers, MLAs, top police and civic officials, District Collectors, besides members of the Covid Task Force and Covid Child Task Force.