With the new government in place, the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) through its allied departments is all set to tighten a noose over the marriage palaces, failing to comply with the guidelines. Sources said that last year notices were sent to about 500 marriage palaces across the state which were not fulfilling the criteria.

The PUDA had identified 170 marriage palaces in Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Sangrur and Barnala districts that were running illegally. Similarly, in Mohali district 36 such marriage palaces will be sealed.

Sources said that these marriage palaces did not seek the required permission before starting their premises. The lack of safety norms was another major concern. "As many as 36 marriage palaces in Mohali will be sealed after they failed to get requisite no objection certificate (NOC) from GMADA and other concerned departments. We aregoing to seal all such marriage palaces," Chief Administrator, GMADA, Varun Roojam, told The Statesman.

The sources said that the approval of building plans of a marriage palace may be permitted if the applicant has obtained the final NOC from National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). In case of the new marriage palace, the parking of vehicles will be provided within the marriage palaces premises and no vehicle shall be allowed to be parked on the road, roadside berms and road reservation. The parking may be provided on the ground or in basement.

Last year in October, the PUDA had re-notified the marriage palaces regularisation policy second time after it was first notified in November 2012. The PUDA had made it clear that such marriage palaces will be sealed, whose owners failed to apply for regularisation and comply with the norms.

PUDA also made it clear to impose a penalty for operating marriage palace without regularisation. As per the guidelines, the owner of an existing marriage palace who fails to get his marriage palace regularised under the policy may face disconnection of water, sewerage and electricity connections. It is also added that the premises will be sealed and no marriage or any other function will be permitted in the sealed premises.

It is further stated that the unauthorised building of the marriage palace may be demolished and legal proceedings against the owner will be initiated. To put halt on the mushrooming business of the marriage palaces, Punjab government had framed policy in November 2012 to provide public safety, security and public conveniences that too was as per the directions of the high court.