Chitwan, July 7

Although the law of the land discourages profligacy in the name of marriage ceremonies, the same is becoming quite a norm here in Chitwan.

As per the Social Behaviour (Improvement) Act 2033, maximum 51 persons can participate in a marriage ceremony or feast. Anyone flouting the rule is liable to a fine of up to Rs 10,000 and a prison term of up to 15 days or both. But the law has so far been limited to paper only. A hotel manager, on condition of anonymity, said there were cases when well over 3,000 people participated in a marriage function.

Chief District Officer Jitendra Basnet admitted the trend of wasteful spending during marriage ceremonies was on the rise. “It’’s true that people are using marriage ceremony to show off their wealth. We’’re committed to doing the needful to ensure that the rule is followed,” he said.

Chitwan District Court Bar Association former chair Jagannath Bhandari singled out the Social Behaviour (Improvement) Act as the one that has never been implemented. “When it comes to flouting the rule, influential people are on the top list. So if the act is to be implemented, its implementation should start from them,” he reasoned.

Province 3 vice-president of Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Rajan Gautam on his part suggested that such violation of rule must be stopped. “Such spending is clearly unproductive, hence it must be stopped,” he said.

Political party leaders, including Nepal Communist Party central member Ishwori Bhattarai and NC Chitwan president Jit Narayan Shrestha, also expressed their concern about increasing marriage extravagance and sought implementation of the law.