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| Guest Control Act: Made with hype, defied with conceit | | Wastage in Big Fat Weddings | |
ET Plus Report
JAMMU, Mar 20: Since last many years in Jammu and Kashmir State the "Big fat wedding" may have attained a glamorous tone but the clamour to stop lavishness bordering on vulgarity of wealth display has been making rounds, but no step has been taken by the State government headed by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who including him and his Ministers are also responsible for hosting extravagant weddings. The Essential Commodities Act was formed in 1973, and was notified in September 1973. The act was later re-invoked and weddings were included in it, but till date it has not been implemented in J&K State. However, if such a law comes by, you would not be allowed to serve tandoori kebabs, Rogan Josh, full Kashmiri Wazwan, and Paneer to impress your guests.
Except in Jammu's Doda District, where only one dish is served to the guests , rest of the state is not following the rule due to non implementation of the act. However under the ECA, the government has approved cooking 45 kg each of rice and meat for the marriage ceremony of one daughter and 60 kg each of rice and meat in case two daughters are being married off at the same time. The number of baraatis has been restricted to 25 only. 'The groom can invite just 50 other guests'. The number of food items prepared during a wedding in Kashmir may be from 10 to 20 depending upon the financial position of the host and same is the condition in Jammu region. According to the act the government will impose fine on those defying the act's guidelines to reduce wastage of food grain during marriages, parties and meetings. There would be awareness programmes through "Jago grahak jago" scheme. The government will carry out awareness campaign through audio-visual publicity in schools and colleges; Sensitise the student community about avoidable wastage, Identify NGOs involved in collection of surplus food for distribution to the poor, and will ask an expert organisation to conduct a survey on food wastage to assess the magnitude of the problem. According to the sources placed in, the ministry of consumer affairs, food & public distribution, they told Early Time Plus that they have sent a letter dated 25 August 2011 to all state governments and union territories and has directed them to conduct awareness campaigns in schools and colleges against vulgar expenditure in weddings and other public functions. Last year, a document procured through a National Conference legislator shows that S.K.Sinha, former governor of Jammu and Kashmir State wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stating: "it is with deep anguish that I am writing this letter as a concerned citizen of India about the colossal wastage of food at weddings both in Jammu and Srinagar and other social functions hosted by the legislators and Ministers. It is painful to see 120 dishes being served to 15, 00 or more guests at several of these wedding. Last year a senior NC leader Gul had a wedding reception for 10,000 guests in Srinagar where he had put 20 vehicles for the guests and more than 50 food items. I sincerely feel that we need to revive the Guest Control Order which limits the number of dishes that can be served at dinners/lunches and also limits the number of guests." added the former Governor. Sinha further wrote: "This will help to embellish the image of the Jammu and Kashmir government and show that it cares.
Unfortunately, the ministers themselves have not set an example and have defied thew act with impunity which also has provision for Rs4 lakh penalty for those violating the norms. |
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