Rudrapur, April 9 -- Banquet hall owners and caterers in Haldwani have decided not to accept bookings for wedding feasts after the state government issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) allowing only two LPG commercial cylinders to be issued on the basis of a wedding invitation card. Members of the Banquet Hall Owners and Caterers Association said preparing food for large wedding functions using only two cylinders is not feasible and could lead to financial losses. President of the Caterers Association in Haldwani Rupendra Nagar said around eight to ten LPG cylinders are usually required during a normal wedding programme. "It is not possible to prepare a wedding feast with only two LPG commercial cylinders. Around eight to ten cylinders are used in a normal wedding programme. If caterers use domestic cylinders instead, it may invite legal action from the administration. Therefore, we have decided not to take bookings for wedding feasts," he said. On Tuesday, banquet hall owners and caterers held a meeting to discuss the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders. The association decided to stop accepting bookings for wedding feasts until the government reconsiders the supply of commercial cylinders to banquet halls and caterers. According to the SOP issued by the government, families of the bride and groom will be provided two temporary commercial LPG cylinder connections on submission of wedding invitation cards and required documents. The caterers said this arrangement is insufficient for large-scale wedding functions. "How can we prepare meals for multiple functions with only two cylinders? If we reduce the menu or cook food on coal or firewood, it will take more time and lead to losses," Nagar said....