Marriage halls managed by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), originally intended to provide relief to underprivileged families lacking adequate space for wedding ceremonies, have turned into profit-maximizing ventures, leaving many unable to afford them.
Despite their intended purpose of facilitating social functions for all, particularly the economically weaker sections, the SMC has imposed hefty charges on these halls without categorizing them based on locality or economic considerations. Under the current pricing model, marriage halls are classified into three arbitrary categories—A, B, and C—without any clear basis. Category A halls are rented out at Rs 25,000, Category B at Rs 20,000, and Category C at Rs 15,000. These exorbitant rates make it nearly impossible for lower-income families to utilize these facilities, forcing them to either incur heavy financial burdens or abandon the idea of hosting ceremonies in these halls altogether.
Local residents have expressed their frustration, stating that the marriage halls were built to provide convenience to people, not to serve as revenue-generating enterprises. They have urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and ensure that the authorities do not overburden poor families. “A person who struggles to arrange even the basic items for a wedding ceremony cannot afford such a huge sum just to rent a hall,”a local resident told the news gathering agency Kashmir News Trust.
Locals said that instead of acting as community support structures, these halls have been turned into commercial entities, prioritizing financial gains over public welfare. They added that a fair pricing policy should be introduced, with significant subsidies or exemptions for economically weaker sections, ensuring that marriage halls fulfill their original purpose.
Appealing to the government, locals have called for an immediate revision of the rental charges and a clear policy that distinguishes between the financial capacity of different users. “The authorities must understand that these halls were meant for the people, not for profit. The administration should take immediate corrective measures before public resentment grows further,” they added. [KNT]
