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Big fat desi wedding may soon be 'one-dish' affair

Perturbed over huge wastage of food on social events in the country, the government has said that it will study the "one-dish" law of Pakistan and similar legislations of other countries to deal with the problem.

"We have received many suggestions to control food wastage at social functions. A member of National Advisory Council (NAC) has recommended imposition of Pakistan's one-dish law. We will look into that law and similar legislations of other countries," Food and Consumer Affairs Minister K V Thomas told media persons.

The meeting convened on the issue was also attended by NAC member N C Saxena, former governor of Uttarakhand and Sikkim Sudharshan Aggarwal and Rajya Sabha member Rajiv Sukhla among others.

Thomas said about 15-20 per cent of food is being wasted in India at social gatherings.

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Big fat desi wedding may soon be 'one-dish' affair

Elaborating on the suggestions that emerged during the meeting, the minister said: "Everybody agreed that country like ours, which is 63 in the hunger index, cannot afford to have such a huge loss of food during big events".

"One view is to start awareness campaign via Jago Grahak Jago and later go for legislation if the need arise." he said.

NAC member Saxena said India can take a look at the Pakistan's one-dish law on weddings, which limits menu to one vegetable and chappati or rice.

Big fat desi wedding may soon be 'one-dish' affair

Aggarwal and Sukhla suggested revival of the Guest Control Order, which limits number of dishes that can be served on weddings and also the number of guests, the minister said.

Thomas, however said, "the original papers regarding the Guest Control Order are not traceable. We have a copy of Assam Second Guest Control Order of 1966 for reference".

The Assam second Guest Control Order limits guests to 25 in small parties and 100 on weddings and funerals.

Big fat desi wedding may soon be 'one-dish' affair

To stop the ostentatious attitude, the minister said that a committee will be constituted to study recommendations of the members in Monday's meeting and propose ways to contain food wastage in big events.

A national level conference would also be held sometime in June to sensitise the state governments in this regard, he added.

Thomas was also of the view that the government should also set an example in reducing food wastage during public events and conferences.