Wedding halls face kitchen emission inspections

The Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to launch a crackdown against marriage halls operating without effective suction hood systems. The non-compliant halls and marquees will face sealing and fines. The owners had been ordered to install the systems to curb air pollution by January this year. The EPA has made it clear that no concession will be given in this regard. Punjab EPA Director General Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh has directed field formations to intensify inspection of marriage halls and take strict action against venues found without suction hoods. Any marriage hall found without a proper suction hood system will be liable to closure or sealing along with heavy fines. The action will apply irrespective of whether the venue is hosting a function at the time of inspection or operating on a routine basis. The DG directed officers to ensure that functioning of the systems was checked on the premises. Venues using inadequate systems will also face action. The EPA has also begun action against restaurants operating without adequate suction hood systems. More than 500 restaurants have been sealed for violations related to kitchen emissions.