Big fat weddings to go, state leans towards frugal spread

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 21

In a significant move to trim big fat weddings and other opulent functions in the state, the Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday imposed curbs on expenses and put a cap on the guest list and dishes to be served on such occasions. It also placed a ban on the use of amplifiers, loud speakers and fire crackers at such events.

At a press conference here today, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said the “guest control order” was issued after the department received complaints and representations, both from civil and social organisations, regarding injudicious use of essentials and lavish expenditure in public and private functions.

The Food Minister said that taking cognisance of the complaints, the department had issued an order which banned sending of dry fruits and sweet packets with invitation cards, adding that a limited number of guests would be allowed to be invited to the weddings.

“The number of guests to be invited on the marriage of a daughter, including ‘baraat’, should be restricted to a maximum of 500, while for the marriage of a son, the number should not exceed 400. For functions like ring ceremony of the son, daughter and other small functions, the number of guests invited should be only 100,” the minister said.

He said that as per the order, the number of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes should be restricted to seven each, besides two sweets or ice cream.

Promising strict implementation of the order, the Food Minister said: “The law is same for everyone and will apply to all irrespective of his/her status in society.” He said as many people had already distributed the invitation cards and made arrangements, therefore, a buffer period of 40 days would be given to them and the order would be applicable from April 1, 2017.

Zulfkar said it should be ensured that there was no wastage of food, uncooked or cooked, during functions. He said the surplus food should not be thrown away but should instead be given to the needy.

He further said that no plastic or non-biodegradable material should be thrown in the open, but should be collected in separate dustbins and disposed of properly by the host or the organiser.

Besides, the minister said there shall be a complete ban on use of big generator sets, sound amplifiers, loudspeakers, decks, profuse lighting, bursting of crackers in social and government functions. He said the ban would save the public from the inconvenience caused by noise and air pollution. He sought public support to make the initiative a grand success.