RAWALPINDI, Dec 6: The City District Government has decided to enforce the ‘Marriage Ordinance’ in letter and spirit.

The District Coordination Officer (DCO), Imdadullah Bosal issued instructions on Saturday that strict action would be taken against the violators of the ordinance that bans one dish, unnecessary illumination and firing in the air and resorts to fire works on the occasion of marriage ceremonies.

The DCO directed the administration to reactivate the committees constituted in the light of the Marriage Ordinance, to enforce the law in this respect. He further directed that all committees from local to district levels should start checking marriage halls, hotels and marriage lawns of catering companies and other places where marriages are held, to strictly enforce the law.

The DCO explained that under the ‘one-dish rule’ guests at a marriage party can be served with “one salan, rice, roti/nan and one sweet dish” and those violate this limit prescribed in the Marriage Ordinance, should be taken to task.

Mr Bosal said that committees headed by DCO at district level, EDO (Revenue), TMOs at tehsil level and Secretary, Union Council at Union Council level should conduct checking and report immediately by lodging complaint in the court the very next day against the violators of the rule.

Police would also extend assistance to these committees where it is needed and allowed by the law.

DCO Bosal said that under the Marriage Ordinance, violators might be awarded punishment of one month imprisonment and a fine from Rs100,000 to Rs500,000 by the court.

The DCO called upon the officials at the sub divisional level to warn owners of marriage halls, hotels, and catering services and people in general through publicizing the objectives of ‘Marriage Ordinance.’

He said the objectives of the ordinance are to stop the affluent class from displaying the power of their wealth which hurts the middle and low income group of the society.

The meeting was attended by CPO Rawalpindi, Rao Muhammad Iqbal, Sub Divisional Police Officers, Executive District Officer (EDO) Revenue, EDO (Law), TMOs and DDORS from all sub divisions of the district and other officials concerned.

City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi, Rao Mohammad Iqbal informed the meeting that the police would extend all out support to the committees and officials of the district administration for the implementation of ‘Marriage Ordinance’ in the light of instructions issued by the Punjab Chief Minister.