PUNE: As the State government has announced a five-day a week work schedule from February 29, it has hit the chances of couples who wanted to tie the knot this leap year. However, the marriage officer of Pune district will conduct only three home visits for registration of marriages on Saturday.
“As from this Saturday onwards, it will be a five-day week at all State government offices, the marriage registrar office will remain closed on February 29. However, since it is a special day as it comes once in four years, therefore, three couples in Pune have requested a home visit and I will be going to these places for their marriage registration,” said BG Pol, Marriage Officer, Pune District.
At the marriage office, as many as 27 weddings were registered on February 29, 2016, while in the leap year 2012, 10 weddings were registered on February 29. Commenting on the same, he said, “In 2012, there was not much awareness about the court marriage while by 2016, the awareness had increased.”
The marriage officer also said that during the muhurat (auspicious occasion), footfall on Saturdays was high as compared to normal week-days due to the presence of IT sectors and MNC in Pune city.
Pol said, “At present, as there were several muhurats (auspicious occasion), the average number of weddings registered on a weekday was around 20-25 while on a Saturday, the number was more as around 40-50 weddings get registered. The footfall remains high on a Saturday as many IT professionals and others working in MNC in the city usually prefer a Saturday as they have a holiday on that day. These people will be affected as now they have to take leave for their marriage to get registered.”
When asked if they are going to consider a home visit for coming Saturdays as well, Pol said, “If an applicant wants a home visit, they have to give a separate application for the same. Anyway, as far as home visits were concerned on Saturdays, we may consider, but it depends on the availability of the marriage officer,” added Pol.
