The finance ministry’s decision on these exemptions came early this month. The decision could be viewed as partial relief for decorators, who initiated a countrywide protest following the finance ministry’s decision to bring them under the tax net. Decorators claimed that an 10.2% service tax would spell doom for the industry and put a burden on the customers.

“Every year, Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals spend anywhere between Rs 1 lakh-Rs 25 lakh on decorations for their pandals. The themes could range from issues as diverse as current affairs, politics and religious themes, to elaborate and ornate replicas of ancient monuments,” says HB Borhade, who works under renowned set designer Nitin Desai of ‘Lagaan’ fame. The pandal decorators usually go all out with their thematic embellishments during the Ganesh festival. “The costs associated with these decorations are very high. Not only do you have to bring raw materials from other states like Gujarat, but also have to pay high fees to artisans. The expenditure also includes extra additions such as sound and lights. The 10.2% service tax would only make it worse”, said a pandal decorator.