4,000 mandals in the city, only one Ganapati insured

One of the richest mandals, Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Trust is also only one in city that has gone for insurance cover for deity and devotees; others still just considering idea even after recent terror attacks in state

4,000 mandals in the city, only one Ganapati insured

One of the richest mandals, Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Trust is also only one in city that has gone for insuranceu00a0 cover for deity and devotees; others still just considering idea even after recent terror attacks in state

The Ganpati mandals in the city are a bullish lot, or so it seems. Triple blasts in Mumbai just six weeks ago have not made the festival organisers in the city restive enough to seek insurance cover for their pandals. Of the 4,000 Ganesh mandals in the city, only Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Trust has got its pandal insured for a premium of Rs 27 lakh.u00a0The insurance covers the set and ornaments of the deity for the 10 days of the festival and also the labourers involved in putting up and adorning the pandal for the Elephant God.

"We need to protect the property during the festival and from our budget of Rs 31.5 crore, 20 per cent of the money will be spent on the actual festival. We spend a huge amount of money on the idol of the deity, which is adorned with valuable ornaments and also for the lavish sets. This is the reason we decided to insure our pandal 12 years ago itself," said Mahesh Suryavanshi, treasurer of Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Trust.

Praying safe: The Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Trust pays Rs 27 lakh in
premium every year. File pic

The president of Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Trust added that they were paying Rs 27 lakh in premium every year. "If any mishap occurs during Ganeshotsav, our insurance policy will cover the cost. It will also take care of the devotees," said Suryavanshi.

Unlike the Dagdusheth Halwai mandal, the 118-year-old Akhil Mandai Mandal is not insured. "We have never thought of insurance policy for our Ganpati mandal. But maybe, it is time to think about it now," said Sanjay Mate, treasurer.

Shailesh Andekar, president of Dharmaveer Tarun Mandal, said for the last 71 years there had been no calamity and so the mandal had not thought of indemnifying its deity hitherto. "After the terror attacks, we need to now think of solutions to protect our mandals," said Andekar. Sainath Mandal Trust, which is 52 years old, also does not have an insurance cover.u00a0

"Since the police have insisted on installation of CCTV cameras and other security measures, we are now seriously thinking of insuring our pandals," said Amar Hiresh Shikhar, president of the trust. "We are trying to get information on how to go about it."

Prashant Ranpise, chief fire officer, PMC, said he knew of no mandal that had insurance cover. "Dagdusheth has its own security system and is following the instructions given by the city police. We can't press the Ganapati mandals to take insurance," he said.u00a0

In this scenario, Oriental Insurance Company and Chaz Insurance Brokers Private Limited have made a special offer to city Ganapati mandals, claiming that now the Akhil Mandai Mandal is also going for insurance after their offer.

Only three Ganapati mandals pay tax to Charity Commissioner
Of the many Ganapati mandals in the city, only three Ganapati mandals pay 2 per cent tax to the Charity Commissioner's office every year, said a senior officer from the department. He said there was lack of awareness about the laws and rules made for charitable trusts. "There are at least 1,500 Ganpati mandals that have formed their own charitable trust," he said.

1893u00a0The year in which the Dagdusheth temple was founded by Dagdusheth Halwai, a wealthy businessman

Rs 27 L Premium the trust pays to insure its pandal during Ganeshotsav

12 Number of years since Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Trust went in for insurance of Ganeshotsav pandal