MCD seals 34 farmhouses for conducting ceremonies illegally

New Delhi, May 8 (UNI) The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) today told the Delhi High Court that it had sealed 34 farmhouses, which did not conform to the official guidelines for hosting social ceremonies including marriages in different parts of the Capital.

Submitting the status report before a division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Vijender Jain, the MCD said two farmhouses in South Zone, two in Civil Line zone, 15 in Najafgarh Zone and 15 in Narela Zone had been sealed by the authorities after the guidelines were approved by the High Court.

About 111 farm houses in Najafgarh (21) and South Zone (90) with 60 feet wide metal roads and enough parking space have been permitted to organise the social functions, said the status report filed by MCD Counsel Tarun Sharma.

While hearing a petition filed by Counsel Manjit Singh Ahluwalia for Bhrastachar Virodhi Sangathan on illegal wedding ceremonies in farm houses the court said, the orders of the court pronounced earlier had to be complied with.

On December 6, 2005, the High Court had permitted the MCD to permit the farm hosues having 60 feet wide approach road to organise social ceremonies including marriages after notifying the guidelines.

The Judges had said the guidelines submitted before the court should be strictly adhered to, while allowing the farm houses to organise the functions on a commercial basis.

The farm houses would have to stick to the stipulation laid down by the MCD on noise pollution, sanitation, traffic rules and other civic regulations.

The bookings for the ceremonies would be done by the MCD through the Citizen Services Bureau (CSB) and Internet to ensure transperancy.

Each farm house would be used for about 120 days in a year on a rotational basis.

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