Rajasthan government increases coronavirus fine to Rs 25,000 for weddings with more than 100 guests

Due to the coronavirus pandemic's spreading tentacles, after Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, the Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan government decided to reimpose the limit of 100 guests at weddings across the state. The decision comes after a jump in Covid-19 cases in the state. The chief minister also announced an increase in the penalty for gatherings of more than 100 people at weddings. CM Gehlot said that a penalty of Rs 25,000 will be imposed for having more than 100 people at marriages.  

”The wedding organisers should also be updated in this context that more than 100 people are not permitted in the wedding function”, he added. Gehlot further directed officials to ensure compliance of all guidelines and orders to contain the spread of the virus. 

The state home department has also said that the fine for not wearing mask in public has been increased from Rs 200 to Rs 500. This comes a day after Rajasthan reported its highest single-day spike of 3,260 new COVID-19 cases, taking the infection tally to 2,43,936, while the death toll in the state rose to 2,163. 

The decision also comes as the Rajasthan government has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in the capital city of Jaipur till December 20 in view of the increasing number of coronavirus cases.  

The government has also imposed night curfew in eight district headquarters including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Bikaner, Udaipur, Ajmer, Alwar and Bhilwara.  Markets, restaurants, shopping malls and other commercial establishments in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Bikaner, Udaipur, Ajmer, Alwar, and Bhilwara headquarters closed at 7 pm. The night curfew in these district headquarters will remain in force from 8 pm to 6 am. 

Opposition BJP in Rajasthan has demanded that the state government focus on ensuring the availability of beds, ventilators and oxygen in hospitals, and improve arrangements for COVID-19 patients.