The Mehbooba Mufti-led alliance Government in Jammu & Kashmir has announced a crackdown on big fat Indian weddings by putting a cap on the size of the band, baaja and baraat from April 1.
The Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs on Tuesday issued a Government order dated February 20, 2017 imposing restrictions on injudicious use of essential commodities at social, Government and private functions.
As per the order, the State Government has put a blanket ban on the newly-acquired trend of sending dry fruits, sweet packets and other gift items along with the invitation cards. Not just this, the family of a woman getting married can invite up to 500 guests while the number of guests allowed for a son’s wedding cannot exceed 400. Invitees on engagement and henna, uptan functions cannot exceed 100, starting from April 1, 2017.
To check wastage of food, the J&K Government has also put restrictions on the number of dishes that can be served to the guests at marriage functions.
Addressing media persons here in Jammu, Cabinet Minister Chowdhary Zulfikar Ali said, “This social reform was needed as people across the State were indulging in hefty expenditure on marriage functions.”
He said Deputy Commissioners across the State have been issued necessary directions to implement the ban in letter and spirit and punish violators irrespective of their official or social standing.
He said it has been observed in Kashmir Valley that wazwan, a multi-course meal in Kashmiri cuisine where almost all the dishes are meat-based, served during marriage functions would be consumed, but huge quantities of rice would go waste.
“People are in the habit of putting up lavish food stalls and serving countless dishes,” he said.
“Through this order, we have also decided to restrict the total number of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes to seven, besides two sweet dishes during these gatherings,” Ali added.The order also addresses the issues of use of high volume amplifiers at wedding functions and garbage disposal.
“The notification put “a complete ban” on use of amplifiers, loudspeakers and firecrackers at any wedding, Government or private social function. It also said no food served on such occasions should be dumped. If there is surplus food, it should given to the poor or sent to orphanages and old age homes.
The department had earlier received complaints and representations regarding injudicious use of essential commodities and extravaganza leading to sound, air and soil pollution during big
gatherings.
