Coming Soon: Planning for a lavish wedding? You may end up paying hefty luxury tax

Bengaluru, Nov 20: Are you a resident of Karnataka? Are you planning for a lavish wedding ceremony? Then think twice before finalising your plans.

The state government may bring in a law according to which anyone, who will throw a lavish wedding ceremony, would end up paying a hefty luxury tax.

A private member's bill has been tabled in Karnataka assembly. The bill was submitted by Congress MLA and former Speaker Ramesh Kumar

Ramesh Kumar urged the state government to pass a law which would discourage lavish weddings in the state.

The bill also urged the government to reform the legal framework for the institution of marriage.

Led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Karnataka government earlier had planned to introduce a law by bringing in an amendment to the existing Karnataka Marriages (Registration and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1976.

The government planned to levy tax on people spending over Rs five lakh for holding marriage ceremonies.

However, the idea of levying taxes on extravagant and lavish weddings was dropped after civil society strongly opposed such a move.

Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa has promised a comprehensive debate on the issue.

The Bill envisages a bar on number of invitees, and parents overspending on marriages will be penalised. The Karnataka State Marriages (Registration and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 2015, envisages levying fines on lavish weddings, fixing maximum rent of Rs 50,000 a day for marriage halls, owners of halls to obtain license from local bodies. Invitees to the marriage should not be more than 300.

OneIndia News
(With agency inputs)