DHARAMSHALA: Keylong Panchayat of Himachal Pradesh's Spiti district has banned serving beer during festivals and wedding celebrations. The panchayat has passed a resolution in this regard. It is reported that the ban was imposed to prevent wasteful expenditure in such functions.

Panchayat chief Sonam Zangpo informed that a consensus decision was taken to stop serving beer during the celebrations in the Gram Sabha meeting held yesterday. He added that the meeting also discussed preventing the mixing of Western culture in weddings and other celebrations. Zilla Parishad member Kunga Bodh said that since the youth are also concerned about preserving tradition and culture, a unanimous decision in this regard is expected soon. One-way vehicles in Keylong market and panchayat sanitation were also discussed in the meeting.

Earlier, Sumara Panchayat of Hangrang Valley in Kinnaur district had passed a resolution to uphold tribal customs in marriages and ban lavish weddings like Western culture.