JAIPUR: Dipender Singh, a resident of Gokulpura, is a worried man. His brother’s marriage is scheduled on December 10 and he had already sent invitations to his friends and relatives. Advance payments were also made to the musical band and caterers.
But on November 21, the state came up with new guidelines tightening the restrictions. The government reduced the number of guests at marriage functions from 250 to 100 persons, besides increasing the penalty on violators to Rs 25,000. The November 1 guidelines had given some discretion to the district collectors.
The earlier order stated, “If any person/institution/ organization makes an application to the district collector for any function along with seating plan, the district collector on being satisfied may issue permission for organizing the function subject to conditions.”
The conditions included in closed places maximum of 50 per cent of the hall capacity will be allowed with a ceiling of 200, while in open places, keeping the size of the ground, a maximum of 250 people will be allowed following Covid protocols.
Many people have complained that the new guidelines had given local police unlimited powers.
Though the government said exceeding the number of guests would invite penalty, it was alleged that local police use high handed methods like seizure of food at marriage functions. If somebody objected, they would invoke Section 353 under the IPC related to assault or criminal force used to deter public servant from discharging his duty.