|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Friday, 4 June 2004 |
 |
|
 |
World | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Ban on lavish Kashmir weddings postponed after protests SRINAGAR, India, Thursday (AFP) Government plans in Indian Kashmir to ban extravagant weddings to stop poor families racking up huge debts were put on hold following howls of protest across the territory. Kashmiris hosting overly lavish nuptials could have faced three years' jail after authorities decided to enforce a 50-year-old law controlling the huge sums spent on weddings where menus often run to 15 or 20 courses. But the government said it had decided to keep the Guest Control Order announced last week "in abeyance" and set up a committee to "examine the matter afresh," an official statement said. The ban had sparked widespread protests from hotel owners, catering agencies and mutton sellers, who said they had already got a large number of orders for which they had made big purchases. In the subcontinent, money spent on weddings is seen as a reflection of family status and, as a result, families often spend years trying to pay off the resulting debts. The government said it would seek wider public opinion to make the order - intended to "relieve financially strained people from the burden of extra spending" and stop food wastage - more "people-friendly and effective." In Kashmir, families traditionally invite hundreds of guests, feed them massive quantities of food on Persian-style "wazwan" dishes six times the size of normal plates and let the party go on for days. Wedding banquets have been blamed for causing spikes in local food prices. Under the new rules, the bride's family could cook only 90 kilos (200 pounds) of rice and meat, invite no more than 75 guests and limit the number of courses to five. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
