Marriage Scheme: The Gram Panchayat of Bailo village in Bathinda district of Punjab has taken a unique initiative. The panchayat has announced that families who will not serve alcohol and DJs at their wedding will not play. They will be provided a cash amount of Rs 21,000.

Village sarpanch Amarjit Kaur said the decision has been taken to prevent wastage, noise and fights in weddings. The panchayat believes that this initiative will maintain peace and social harmony in the village.

Why was this decision taken?

The Gram Panchayat of Bailo village took this decision as sometimes unpleasant incidents occur due to serving alcohol and playing a loud DJ at a wedding ceremony.

• The problem of quarrels – it is often seen that alcohol causes quarrels at the wedding ceremony. This spoils the atmosphere of the celebration.
• Trouble for students – Students’ studies are affected due to a loud DJ during the wedding.
• Trouble for the elderly – Loud noise and noise cause a lot of trouble for the elderly and sick people in the village.
• Stopping waste – This initiative has been taken to reduce unnecessary expenses incurred in weddings.

The Gram Panchayat believes that this scheme will bring positive social change in the village and people will only move towards getting married instead of showing up.

What does the panchayat say?

Village sarpanch Amarjit Kaur said, “We want to motivate the villagers to save the marriage from ruin. Sometimes there are fights because of alcohol and students are upset by the loud playing of a DJ. So we decided that Rs 21,000 will be given to the family marrying alcohol-free and DJ-free. He further said that the Gram Panchayat has passed this resolution and now the scheme will be implemented soon.

Reaction of villagers

The decision has received mixed response from the villagers.

People who support say that

• This is a very good decision, which will fill the wedding ceremony with peace and rituals.
• This will reduce show-on and unnecessary expenses, thereby providing relief to poor families.
• Not serving alcohol will improve the wedding atmosphere and reduce the chances of quarrelling.

Some people are also against this decision

• He believes that DJs are an important part of the wedding and the ceremony will seem incomplete without it.
• Some people feel that this is a violation of their freedom and they are free to do whatever they want in their marriage.
• However, most people are supporting the initiative and seeing it as a positive change.

What will be the impact of this scheme of the panchayat?

• If this scheme is successful, it will have a huge social impact.
• There will be less tendency to show off in society and people will avoid unnecessary spending on marriage.
• Serving alcohol will protect you, which will also control the problem of drug addiction.
• Vigourous music will bring relief to the elderly and students.
• This initiative will be an inspiration for other villages too and they can also take such decisions.

How to get Rs 21,000 cash?

• One should avoid serving alcohol during the wedding.
• DJ doesn’t need to play.
• Waste should be avoided in marriage.
• The Gram Panchayat will have to provide proof that they are married under these rules.

If a family fulfils these conditions, a cash amount of Rs 21,000 will be provided to them by the Gram Panchayat.