Odisha kalyan mandaps: HC gives a week to CMC to respond

CUTTACK: Orissa high court has given one week to the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) to show cause as to why a probe should not be ordered into the granting of licences to kalyan mandaps for operating in the city. Marriage halls without parking area have been a matter of concern as they were creating traffic chaos by increasing congestion in roads in different parts of the city.
The court set the time on Monday while responding to a petition filed by the Amicus Curiae appointed by it to assist in adjudication of a PIL on lack of parking place and garbage disposal system at most of the kalyan mandaps in the city.
“The division bench of Chief Justice K S Jhaveri and Justice K R Mohapatra has posted the matter to March 19 for hearing along with the reply of CMC,” Amicus Curiae Arun Kumar Budhia said. “The court expects CMC to file an affidavit and show cause why the granting of licences to kalyan mandaps should not be inquired into,” Budhia said. “Many mandaps, which were issued conditional licences, did not satisfy the guidelines fixed by the court particularly with regard to parking area and dumping of waste in total disregard to the court’s order,” the Amicus Curiae alleged in his petition.