With a view to curb the unhealthy practice of high-spending in big fat weddings in Punjab, an Amritsar-based NGO Punjab Caucus for Public Cause (PCPC) has demanded a new law to put cap on the wasteful expenditure on marriage ceremonies.
The body has initiated a signature campaign, which it will send to all the 117 MLAs and finally to the Chief Minister and then Governor, seeking a legislation to end the menace.
PCPC, which has members from all walks of life, citing the example of Pakistani Punjab said the rising costs on marriage ceremonies is throwing the families into heavy debts, leading to breakage of social fabric. PCPC said if Pakistani Punjab can have the law to limit the expenditure on marriages then why can't the same be done here.
"We are demanding a new law that will have legal compulsion of serving only 'one dish food course' and limit the guests during the marriage ceremonies in Punjab," said social activist Tejinder.
Kaur Chhina, heading the non-political, social body as its president, said the draft is being prepared by the legal experts to put forward to the authorities concerned.
She said it pains to see the people taking loans to perform the marriages of their children and they have one point agenda to ask the state legislature to form a new law that will cap the expenditure and limit the cost on marriage parties.
"The money flows and spending are rising. The worst suffers are the poor section and middle class who are jolted on seeing the rising costs on marriage ceremonies," said Sukhjinder Singh Heir and Sukhdeep Singh Sidhu, vice-president and general secretary of the body.
Accompanied by Passport Officer JS Sodhi, SSP Vigilance, SS Mann, educationists including Dr. Sarvjit Kaur Brar, Professor Satnam Singh, DS Rataul and advocate Kunwarjit Singh, Chhina said that they will be sending the draft to all the 117 MLAs to study it and get it passed in the state assembly.
"We will be sending appeals to all the MLAs, coming from various political parties, to make this new law," she stated, adding that the cost on marriage ceremonies will come down drastically once the law comes into force.
"The food is wasted and unmindful expenditures on huge marriage palaces is mind blowing," said Ravinder Singh who is the convener of the body.
He said the law would limit the dishes to 'one dish', which would mean one vegetarian, one non-vegetarian food item, roti, rice, raita and salad and limit the guests to 300 persons from both sides.
"Once it becomes a law, the government officials including Deputy Commissioner would be the enforcing authorities to check the violation and the violators will be fined heavily," said Kunwarjit.
Rataul said they would approach the religious leaders of all communities also to appeal the masses for putting an end to the wasteful expenditures on the marriages.
