LAHORE - The Punjab cabinet's first decision to strictly implement the one-dish law in marriage ceremonies has sent chill down the spine of all stakeholders involved in catering business and owned marriage halls. The decision of the Punjab cabinet to strictly implement the one-dish law has created tumult among all the stakeholders, who were expecting something of this since the re-entry of Sharifs in the politics who for the first time banned all food in the marriage ceremonies except simple tea and soft drink for the benefit of the less privileged sections of society.   After the decision was announced, most of the people engaged in the businesses of marriage hall and catering have been unnerved and tense. With sleepless nights, they have put their heads together to deal out the unwanted situation. Most of them recalled memories of the past with Shahbaz Sharif leading a campaign to enforce the ban, sparing none. Without any delay, they have decided to make urgent measures as safeguard before the implementation of decision gets underway. Sources privy to the development revealed that all the stakeholders held a hurriedly meeting on Thursday. They decided to meet Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Dost Muhammad Khosa and Minister for Law Rana Sana Ullah on the issue. The sources informed that they also decided to present their demand to amend the law to make it really practical. Talking to The Nation, Lahore Marriage Hall Association chairman, Mian Muhammad Ilyas said that marriage law needed to be amended forthwith. He said that there were some flaws in the law which should be rectified before implementation of cabinet decision starts. He said that in case of violation of one-dish restriction, only who booked the wedding functions should be held responsible. But in the existing law the owner of the place, hotel, restaurant, wedding hall, community center, or club gets penalised. Mostly people book the place in the name of Haqiqa, or a social get to gather but later on it turns out to be marriage ceremonies". Regarding imposition of fines, he said, "The monetary penalties did not work in the past as a deterrent against the violators. The people openly say they are ready to pay fine". He proposed that law should be changed in a way that bridegroom should be imprisoned for two days on violation of one-dish restriction, and then all the anomalies will go automatically. He said that basically the law banning one-dish was beneficial provided the problem areas were removed from the law. It is recalled that the first ban to prohibit any sort of meal during different events of marriage ceremonies and showing extravagant wealth was imposed under the Marriage Ordinance of 1997 by the federal govt. This legislation was introduced by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, A consortium of leading caterers, restaurant owners and poultry farmers challenged the ban with the contention that it was against the injunctions of Islam. Later on, the Supreme Court struck down the ban and allowed meals at Walima and other marriage functions. On November 8, 2002 the court declared the Marriage (Prohibition of Wasteful Expenses) Ordinance 1997 as ultra vires to the Constitution. While annulling the ban on wedding meals, the Supreme Court had lawd that such legislation was a provincial subject falling in the concurrent list. The federal government had no power to enact a law banning serving of food in Walima receptions and other wedding functions. The Supreme Court also held that the provinces would be at liberty to promulgate any such law and laws fixing the number of guests and showing of dowry. After this decision, the Punjab govt allowed one-dish at Walima receptions and limited number of guests were allowed, but even this ban is not being complied in letter and spirit.  It is recalled that an act prohibiting wasteful expenses and ostentation was passed by the Punjab Assembly on February 7, 2003. It is pertinent to mention that under the ordinance "One dish may be served at the Walima to a maximum number of 300 invitees including the hosts attending the ceremony." Under the Act "One dish" means one salan with rice and roti or nan and one sweet dish; and "prescribed" means prescribed by laws made under this Act.