Weddings which remained suspended in the past few months amid the lockdown can now be organised after a go-ahead from the administration.
The wedding season begins on May 23 and ends on June 30. There are eight auspicious days for the solemnisation of marriage in this season.
According to guidelines, a letter requesting permission to organise a wedding has to be submitted to the sub-divisional magistrate or additional collector. Invitation cards and other details also have to be furnished.
The administration will allow weddings in Lockdown 4.0 but on the condition that the bride and the groom perform rituals wearing masks, guests refrain from drinking liquor and chewing betel and the music stops by 10pm.
Masks will also be mandatory for all guests. Thermal scanning at entrances and the maintenance of social distancing norms are also compulsory, said an official.
The administration has also made it clear that wedding organisers must make available to them video recording of the events to check whether all directives were followed. The videos will have to be submitted with details of guests on demand.
If the groom's or the bride's side is from another state, they will need separate permission.
Deputy commissioner, Bokaro, Mukesh Kumar said the administration was allowing weddings on organisers seeking the requisite clearances.
They must follow the Union home ministry guidelines and keep the standard operating procedure (SOP) in mind while organising the events.
Businessman Gopal Murarka said his son Saurabh had his wedding scheduled for June 18. But the family was having trouble reserving a venue as the government has taken over a majority of hotels and converted them to paid quarantine centres.
Others that have not been taken by the administration are not clear on issues such as whether the 50-people limit for gatherings includes caterers and other staff.
Several parents have asked the families of brides, especially those who live in other states, to come to Bokaro for the weddings to escape lockdown hurdles.
Umesh Singh, a resident of Chas, said his son’s marriage was scheduled for June 30. The bride belongs to Arrah in Bihar. He was worried and found it hard to decide whether to go there taking a procession or call the girl’s family here. It is also not clear where the girl’s family, relatives and friends will put up if they do decide to come to Chas.