DC’s, FCSCA Squad to fine, seize food items for Guest Control Violation

The state government has decided to empower the Deputy Commissioners to seize food items and even fine people who are found to be violating the ‘Guest Control Order’ issued by the government recently.
Speaking to Kashmir Post, Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Choudhary Zulfkar Ali said detailed modalities will be finalized shortly in this regard. He, however, said the Deputy Commissioners will be empowered to take action in case of violation of the order.
“The Deputy Commissioners will exercise their powers under Section 188 of Cr PC to take action against violation of the government order,’’ he said, adding that the enforcement squads of FCSCA department will be constituted which will monitor the implementation of the order.
“We will seize the food items or even impose fine and the detailed set of modalities will be issued shortly,’’ he said.
Zulfikar also added that for any wastage of food items at the government functions, similar set of procedure will be adopted and strict action will be taken against the officers.
He said the guest control order has been issued following the representation from people that the marriages have become cost prohibitive for poor people.
“Unlike the earlier order which was issued previously there is flexibility in the rules. We have increased the number of guests to 500 from 80 which were allowed in the previous order,’’ he said.
Zulfikar added that the government will also involve clerics to motivate people to volunteer in the adoption of the order.
The Minister said marriages will be monitored and government will ensure strict compliance.
On February 21, the government issued “Guest Control Order” to impose restrictions on “injudicious use” of essential commodities during social, government and private functions, besides putting complete ban on use of amplifiers, loud speakers, and fire crackers in such functions.
Minister for FCS&CA, Choudhary Zulfkar made the announcement at a press conference. As per the order, the number of guests to be invited on marriage of daughter including baraat should be restricted to a maximum of 500, while for marriage of son, the number should not exceed 400. For functions like ring ceremony of son, daughter and other small functions the number of guests invited should be 100 only.
As per the order, number of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes should be restricted to a maximum of seven each, besides, two stalls of sweets or ice cream.
The order also imposed complete ban on sending dry fruits, sweet packets with invitation cards by any person to relatives, friends, guests etc.
Keeping in view that many people have already distributed the invitation cards, and have made arrangements as per the invitation, a buffer period of 40 days has been given to them and the order would be applicable from April 1, 2017.
The order also imposed ban on use of big generator set, high pitch sound amplifiers, loud speakers, decks, profuse lightning, bursting of crackers in social as well as government functions.