Delhi’s New Social Function Policy

In order to reduce the wastage of food at social functions, the Delhi government drafted a new policy which was framed under the directions of the Supreme Court.

The new social function is likely to be notified in the national capital this month.

A committee of four officers has been constituted by the Chief Secretary. The members include Principal Secretaries of Urban Development and Health, Chief Executive Officer, Delhi Jal Board and Member Secretary and Delhi Pollution Control Committee.

As per the new draft policy, all organizers and caterers will have to register with NGOs to manage the surplus and leftover food for distribution among the poor.

They must have the necessary permission from Delhi’s Department of Food Safety, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and FSSAI to sell or serve the prepared food to the guests.

The number of guests for the party or event should not exceed the approved limit by Urban Local Body (ULB) and the food preparation should be according to the prescribed capacity of motel and LDRA.

The Commissioner of Food Safety should have to make sure the conditions are followed strictly and any violation should lead to the action from the deployed officers.

Periodic inspections will be followed for the enforcement of the rules.

The area of the venue is divided by 1.5 sqm or multiplied by the total number of cars that can be parked by four. The obtained number will be the maximum number of guests.

The violations would attract heavy penalties. The operators of the venues will have to pay ₹5 lakh for their first offence, ₹10 lakh for their second and ₹15 lakh for their third and any subsequent offence.

The total number of days to organize a social function is restricted to 120 days in approved spaces.

In order to hold social functions, a Motel or LDRA should have a minimum area of 2.5 acres.

All social functions should have to meet pollution norms prescribed by the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) and the Supreme Court.

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