FAISALABAD, April 12: Despite standing instructions from the Punjab Chief Minister, the authorities concerned have failed to implement the Punjab Marriage Functions Rules, 2003, in letter and spirit in Faisalabad and its adjoining districts — Jhang and Toba Tek Singh.

A survey reveals that lavish dinners and lunches are being arranged by the people especially belonging to the middle and upper classes at valima and barat ceremonies.

The ban imposed on injudicious spending, pomp and show and display is also being violated in the city and its rural areas with impunity. The set rule of serving one dish in valima ceremonies upto 300 guests is also being violated by government high-ups and elected representatives, including Nazims, MPAs and MNAs.

Huge amounts are being spent on the decoration of houses, streets and even open places like parks and green belts. Aerial firing, use of crackers and fireworks are also a routine matter.

Violators of the marriage ordinance are liable to pay a fine from Rs100,000 to Rs300,000, but the question is who will catch them as the police is also hapless in this whole plan.

Some UC Nazims claimed they were unable to take action against the violators because government agencies had not officially informed them about the same. Even the Tehsil Municipal Administrations and the district governments were playing the role of silent spectators, they said.

A spokesman of the District Coordination Office said the provincial government had reactivated the Marriage Function Committees constituted at Union, Tehsil and Town levels for taking strict action against the violators.

He further said that authorities concerned had been asked to implement the Punjab Marriage Functions Rule in its true spirit. The people should also abide by these rules voluntarily so that they may not have to face any difficulty in case of violation, he added.