Srinagar: The guest control order which was issued by the government has no takers on the ground as people in the state continue to host the guests on marriages extravagantly and continue to use of fire crackers and music, which create noise pollution.
On Feb 21 this year, the state government issued an order putting a slab on the number of guests to be invited in marriages and parties. But the BJP, partner of PDP, had opposed the order.
As per the order which was issued by Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, hosts can invite 500 guests for daughter’s marriage and 400 for son’s marriage.
The order also banned the use of high pitch sound amplifiers/loud speakers/decks/profuse/ lightening/bursting crackers etc in the functions.
Locals from various districts especially in Srinagar told KNS that the order issued by the government proved hoax on the ground as the persisting use of fire crackers on the arrival of Groom in the late evening hours is giving sleepless nights to the people on daily basis.
Ghulam Muhammad, a local from Srinagar said that the hefty money being spent on the marriage ceremonies here has left the poor families to lurch at large. “Apart from the Wazwan, the people here have been seen giving money to their guests in the dry fruit boxes on their arrival. The government must put an immediate end to such customs so that the poor families could feel a sigh of relief and action should be taken against the norm violators,” he added.
Muhammad Sultan, another elderly from downtown here said that the implementation of Guest control order could have changed the customs in Kashmir but the failure of the administration in implementing the order has let loose the people here to spend hefty amount on their marriages and to irritate the people residing nearby with the high pitch sounds and speakers.
Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema patron, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had expressed serious concern over the “growing” social evils across Kashmir.
He termed the extravaganza in Kashmiri marriages and other related functions a “dangerous menace”.
Minister of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD), Choudhary Zulfikar Ali told KNS that the government had taken positive initiative to stop the extravaganza in the marriages but unfortunately somebody approached the High Court against the decision.
“The High Court has directed us to stop implementing the order following which the order was stopped. As of now, the case is pending in the court. We are seriously pursuing the case and want that such order should be implemented so that the people especially belonging to poor section could feel a sigh of relief,” he said.
Pertinently, the similar order was issued by the then Congress Minister Taj Mohiddin in 2004. However, that order too was never implemented on ground, had allowed hosts to invite 75 guests including 25 baratis in bride’s marriage while the groom’s family was authorized invite only 50 guests. (KNS)
No control on Guest control
