Prepare Comprehensive Policy To Check Wastage Of Food, Water During Wedding Functions, SC Directs LG/Delhi Govt [Read Order]

“A complete and comprehensive policy will be prepared by the Govt. of NCT of Delhi and the Lt. Governor so that there is no mis-use of properties, food and water, etc. and shall also be formulated in a manner to avoid congestion including traffic problems caused due to these functions being held at these Motels/Farm Houses.”

The Supreme Court has directed the Govt. of NCT of Delhi and the Lt. Governor to prepare complete and comprehensive policy so that there is no misuse of properties, food and water, in wedding functions held at Motels/Farm Houses in the Capital City.

The bench comprising Justice Madan B. Lokur, Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Hemant Gupta also observed that the said policy shall explore the possibility of issuing a guest control order and shall also be formulated in a manner to avoid congestion including traffic problems caused due to these functions.

Background

During the last hearing, the bench had observed that there is a huge amount of mismanagement of scarce water and wastage of food in wedding functions.

“The attitude of the State and the authorities under the State including the Municipal Corporation appears to be in favour of the Motels and Farm House owners much to the detriment of public interest.” the bench had said. It had also observed that the authorities concerned with governance issues in Delhi shall give precedence to public interest rather than commercial and financial interest of owners of Motels and Farm Houses and other similar organization.

The Court had also observed: “It is a matter of common knowledge that the availability of drinking water and availability of food is a natural human right and this must be respected by whoever is concerned with governance in Delhi.”

The bench had asked the Chief Secretary to present during the next hearing and remarked that ‘money is not everything in life’.

Prepare Complete And Comprehensive Policy

On Tuesday, the bench was informed by the Chief Secretary that some alternatives are being discussed and two-pronged strategy is also being actively considered so that availability of food in functions and the number of guests is limited and the quality of food is also maintained. The Chief Secretary also stated that a policy can be formulated within about six weeks.

“It is stated that there have been some reports that sometimes stale food is being served which can obviously cause health issues to those who consume the food. It is also stated that the wastage of food and utilization/mis-utilization of scarce water resources is also an area that is being considered by the Lt. Governor of Delhi as well as by the Govt. of NCT of Delhi.” the Court recorded the submissions made by the Chief Secretary.

Posting the matter on 5^th February, 2019, the bench said: “We grant time till 31st January, 2019 to enable the Lt. Governor of Delhi and the 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.”