Title: Drastic Reductions in Marriage Expenses will end Female Foeticide
A RTI Reply from Women and Child Development Ministery
Now a aam adami take on RTI reply from WCD: There are 300 million Indians who earn less than two dollars a day. Yet, even people in slums spend 1 to 2 lacs rupees on marriages of children mostly by pawning and or by heavily borrowing.
Parents who have 2 or 3 daughters save whole life neglecting nutrition and medicine for the daughters and the family.
People spend money in marriage to feed 500 guests in stead of spending money for medicines or healthcare for pregnant women. Middle class Parents who have 2 or 3 daughters lose almost half of their retirement savings during their marriages. This is completely unacceptable. The fear of marriage expenses makes many parents decide not to have girl child.
Many fathers are made to feel guilty or are directly blamed, if they can not perform an extravagant marriage of their children. This is a culture that violates the fundamental right to liberty and freedom.
If we create a cultural transformation and drastically reduce marriage expenses for people, that will reduce maternal mortality rate and will improve nutrition of girl child apart and will reduce female foeticide.
SIF is the one of the largest credible organiations that fights against marriage expenses.
SIFF's legitimate demands are:
1) Cost of marriage most not exceed Rs.20,000/- (USD 400)
2) In marriage, you may only offer guests only 2 samosas, one banana and nimbu pani (lemonade) to keep the costs low. You must not offer any gifts to family members of bride, groom or wedding guests.
3) If costs exceed Rs.20,000/- and lower than 6 months income of parents of the girl, then 15% tax must be levied, which will be used Government to advertise against stopping marriage expenses.
4) If marriage expenses than above 6 months of income of parents, then flat 30% tax on expenses must be levied.
5) Every family must deposit expense statement at local post office or SBI branch 15 days before marriage.
6) Anyone who promotes extravagant marriages in TV or in Movies will be barred from broadcasting or screening for 1 month.
7) If your friend invites you to his or her extravagant marriage, then wish the newly wed couple and then politely leave by taking a sip of lemonade or soft drinks. That way, you can send a message to society that millions of people can not afford to feed full meals to 500 wedding guests.
Everyone must campaign against Bollywood movies (Bansali and Barjatiaya kinds) that popularise extravagant marriages. Bollywood actors must oppose promotion of such culture by movie industry.
People can always have choice of extravagant marriage provided then do their share of work by paying 30% tax for eliminating female foeticide due to high marriage expenses.
SIF activists have found that the Indian Government brags a lot about eliminating dowry, however in reality it takes no action. The concerned Indian Government Ministry has not spent even a single rupee on advertisements in newspaper and TV to change the culture of high marriage expenses and dowry. Please look at the shocking evidence in the Right to Information Act reply above !
Source: SIFF
