Fireworks, dowry, extra lighting declared illegal in Punjab

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Fireworks, dowry, extra lighting declared illegal in Punjab

Islamabad - The law bars such a person from exploding or allowing anyone to explode crackers or other explosive device, including firing by firearms, and displaying or allowing anyone to display fireworks.

By Our Correspondent

Published: Sat 16 Apr 2016, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Sat 16 Apr 2016, 1:46 PM

In a significant austerity move, the Punjab Assembly has passed a law governing marriage functions, disallowing unreasonable illumination, display of fireworks and dowry and causing nuisance to neighbours "beyond reasonable celebrations".
The law (Clause 3) says that a person celebrating his (own) or organising marriage of any other person shall not decorate or cause to be decorated any street, road, or public park or any place other than the building where marriage ceremony is being held, with lights or illumination.
The law bars such a person from exploding or allowing anyone to explode crackers or other explosive device, including firing by firearms, and displaying or allowing anyone to display fireworks.
Similarly, it disallows display of dowry to the public eye and causing nuisance or disturbance to the neighbourhood beyond reasonable celebrations.
It prohibits serving of more than one dish meal to guests in a marriage ceremony at any public place. It further bans managers of hotels, restaurants, caterers from serving more than one dish in a marriage ceremony.
The law also asked all those owning, managing or running a public place being the site of a marriage to ensure conclusion of all ceremonies relating to the marriage by 10pm.
It warns that violations of the law may be punished with simple imprisonment for a term up to one month and fine which shall not be less than Rs50,000 or more than Rs2 million. An offence under this act shall be bailable and cognizable on a complaint by an officer notified by the government, while a first-class magistrate is authorised to summarily try an offence under this law.
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