The Lok Sabha Bill's Guest Cap Proposal is a private member's bill introduced by Congress MP Jasbir Singh Gill in January 2020. The bill seeks to prevent "wasteful expenditure" on social occasions such as weddings and festivals. It proposes to limit the number of wedding guests to 100 from both bride and groom's families, the number of dishes served to 10, and the value of gifts to the newlyweds to Rs. 2,500.
The bill also encourages people to make donations to NGOs or the weaker sections of society instead of spending money on extravagant weddings. Gill has said that the bill is aimed at reducing female feticide, as a girl child would not be seen as a burden if the cost of weddings is brought down.
The bill has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have welcomed it as a way to curb the increasing costs of weddings, while others have criticized it as being too intrusive and impractical. It is still to be seen whether the bill will be passed by Parliament.
Here are some of the pros and cons of the Lok Sabha Bill's Guest Cap Proposal:
Pros:
It could help to reduce the cost of weddings, which can be a major financial burden for families.
It could discourage the practice of female feticide, as parents would be less likely to abort a female child if they did not have to worry about the cost of her wedding.
It could promote social harmony, as people from different social groups would be able to attend weddings regardless of their financial status.
Cons:
It could be seen as an infringement on individual freedom, as people should be free to spend their money as they see fit.
It could be difficult to enforce, as there is no way to prevent people from inviting more guests than the limit.
It could lead to social exclusion, as people from lower-income groups may not be able to afford to host weddings that meet the requirements of the bill.
Overall, the Lok Sabha Bill's Guest Cap Proposal is a controversial one. It has the potential to both positive and negative impacts on society.