LAHORE: The Punjab government on Sunday decided to shut down all marriage halls across the province operating without suction hoods, ARY News reported, citing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Director General (DG) EPA Abdullah Nayyer Sheikh ordered field officers to take action against marriage halls failing to follow government directives regarding suction hoods.
The EPA initiated action after the January 31 deadline for installing suction hoods in marriage halls expired.
The department stated that it decided to take strict action after granting a nine-month grace period following the deadline’s expiry.
The EPA emphasized that no concessions will be given to marriage halls that failed to comply within the specified timeframe.
The department categorically stated that all marriage halls operating without suction hoods will be shut down and sealed.
The EPA added that in addition to being sealed, non-compliant marriage halls will also face heavy fines.
The agency maintained that there is a zero-tolerance policy regarding smoke emissions from commercial kitchens and other polluting discharges.
The EPA further informed that more than 500 restaurants in the province have been sealed so far over suction hood violations.
