Temples, Crackers, And Now, Marriages? Delhi Government To Formulate Rules Controlling ‘Lavish Weddings’

Delhi government has told the Supreme Court that it is contemplating a policy to limit the number of guests in lavish weddings and institutionalise catering arrangements, The New Indian Express has reported.

Delhi’s chief secretary Vijay Kumar Dev told the bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur that the government is thinking on the lines of observations made by the court last week. The court had, in its order on 6 December, expressed concern over wastage of food and mis-utilisation of water in marriage functions.

"We can have guest control on one hand and regulation under the Food Safety and Standards Act where institutional arrangements can be made between the caterers and NGOs, who are providing foods to the destitute," Dev was quoted in the report as saying to the bench. He added that there seems to be a consensus in the views between Lieutenant governor and Delhi government in the matter.

The Delhi government’s counsel told the court that eight weeks time would be needed for coming out with the policy.

"We grant time till January 31, 2019 to enable the LG and chief secretary to formulate a policy and to ensure its strict implementation in the larger public interest, including the interest of the people of Delhi," the bench said.