Maharashtra to allow marriages in grounds, halls

NAGPUR: Relief and rehabilitation minister Vijay Wadettiwar said that the state government will allow marriage ceremonies on open grounds and non-AC halls soon. Sources from his office said a notification will be issued on Tuesday.
In a video statement, Wadettiwar said, “With rainy season on, people are finding it difficult to hold marriages inside own houses. Many have small houses too. Therefore, the government has decided to relax the rules. However, only 50 guests will be allowed and all will have to comply with Covid guidelines.”
Wadettiwar added that the decision will also help owners of grounds and halls. “A large number of people are financially dependent on their functioning,” he said.
From June 1 after the lockdown was lifted, the government had allowed marriages with 50 people in attendance but disallowed in halls, hotels and grounds.
Wadettiwar said citizens, owners of wedding venues and “former finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar” had sought relaxation of rules.
On June 10, Nagpur district collector Ravindra Thakre had written to principal secretary of disaster management, relief and rehabilitation department seeking permission for marriage ceremonies in grounds, hotels and halls. He is yet to receive a reply.
Welcoming the decision, hotelier Jasbir Singh Arora said, “Many had postponed marriages scheduled in April and May. After dates in last week of June, next mahurats are only in November.”
Arora also said the government should also allow booking of rooms at hotels. “Those coming from other districts and states are finding it difficult to find accommodation,” he said.
On June 13, TOI had reported about Thakre’s letter. Many owners of grounds and halls had started accepting bookings. Some are even functional in rural parts of Nagpur.