Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Mr. Zulfkar Ali today held a interactive session with the representatives of Chamber of Traders Federation to discuss the ‘Guest Control order’. While addressing the participants, the Minister said that this order would surely help the people for making judicious use of essential commodities and exuberant expenditures during public and private functions. This order is for the betterment of the society and now majority of the people of the State will give an excuse to shy away from going for a big extravaganza,” the Minister said.The organization wholeheartedly endorsed the intent and spirit behind the order and termed it a historic decision and also projected suggestions for making ‘Guest Control order’ more viable.The representatives said that any exchange of dry fruits/sweets in the range of Rs 500 should be banned instead of sweet which leave a healthy message with the invitees. They added that Supreme Court order in respect of noise pollutions & timing for the use of fire cracker beyond 125 decibels is already in force which should be specified in the departmental order and the use of amplifiers and loudspeakers are restricted.
Expressing satisfaction over maximum number of guests 500 for a daughter marriage and 400 for son’s marriage they said that nowadays joint receptions are taking place and by going this order that totals to 900 guests. They added that 700 guests instead of 900 are sufficient and in smaller functions like Satsang, Sant, Shagun, Ring Ceremony 150 guests may be permitted.They also proposed that in Jammu region, mostly vegetarian dishes are served during marriage ceremonies, Therefore Instead of maximum of 7 vegetarian and 7 non vegetarian dishes, around 10 veg dishes and 4 non veg dishes should provide a fair spice to the function along with 2 stalls of deserts.The participants widely appreciated the Minister for bringing this kind of reform in the society, and said the order is very inclusive in nature.After listening to the representatives of CTF for making small changes to the order, the Minister assured them that the department would surely consider the suggestions made by them.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that people from all quarters have been complaining about the menace of extravagant expenditure on social functions, especially marriage ceremonies.Minister said there were many instances when some people from both Jammu and Kashmir provinces came to him to seek some financial assistance to organize the marriage functions for their children.“Concept of marriage is to bring joy in the family, not to give sleepless nights to the parents,” he said. “Due to societal compulsions majority of the families that cannot afford extravaganza are forced to exhaust all their savings only to follow the trend set by some affluent,” he said, adding “Guest Control’ is a respite for the majority population who suffer in their race to match the taste of elites.”The Minister assured the order by no means would facilitate or support ‘Inspector Raj’. He said in fact Government is keen to bring people in so that they can take responsibility of making the order a grand success.
The Minister said the Government’s responsibility is to make the laws and rules, but not to go out and stand behind everyone to make them follow the same. He said people understand that laws and rules are meant for their betterment and not abiding them attracts penalties of certain types. Likewise, the Minister said people in the State have to understand that “Guest Control Order” is an initiative taken for their welfare, and making its implementation a success would help to make a better society.Seeking support from civil society forums, the Minister said we all have to work together to weed out evils from the society. Assuring Government’s support, the Minister asked the leaders of civil societies to make a conscious effort to raise awareness among masses. He said those who try to oppose the Government order, would be dealt by the law accordingly.He said the order is in evolutionary phase, and if suggestions given seem genuine, they would surely be incorporated in the order to make it better.