The customary horse-drawn carriage carrying the groom & the accompanying family members & relatives dancing to the tune of musical band in a procession leading up to the wedding venue will no longer be allowed on the roads under a policy framed by Delhi government for holding social functions at farmhouses & hotels.
As per the policy, which has been filed in Supreme Court, marriage processions will not be permitted on the roads outside the hotels or venues. It says such processions would be allowed only inside the premises & also no parking shall be permitted outside the authorised space or on roads. It makes it mandatory for such premises to have CCTV cameras at entry-exit gates.
The policy puts restrictions on the number of guests & guidelines to check wastage of food & water. It says the organiser will have to take necessary permission from Food Safety & Standards Authority of India to run their kitchen & have to get registered with an NGO to manage surplus food to be distributed among the poor.
“To ensure safe & hygienic food at social functions, it is the responsibility of those responsible at the social function site to provide complete information about name of the organiser, date & time of the function in advance to the department of food safety of Delhi government,” the draft policy said.
The policy said the operator of the premises would be slapped a fine of Rs 5 lakh in case of violation & the amount would increase to Rs 10 lakh & Rs 15 lakh in case of second & third offence. If the social function is held at unauthorised venues, the premises will be sealed & a penalty of Rs 15 lakh would be slapped. The government framed the policy after SC expressed concern over misuse of farmhouses & motels for marriage ceremonies & parties.
