DUSHANBE, October 30, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Speaking at an October 29 government, President Rahmon touched upon the issues of implementation of the country’s law on observing national traditions and rituals, presidential press service said.  

According to the president, people have managed to save more than 1 billion somoni (equivalent to more than US$340 million) since the law took effect.      

He, in particular, noted that some 35,000 head of cattle have not been slaughtered this year as it was usually done during various private celebrations and rituals.   

The president demanded at the meeting that relevant organizations should strictly control implementation of the law on observing national traditions and rituals.

We will recall that the law on observing national traditions and rituals, which regulates private celebrations, was adopted in June 2007.  The stated intent of the law is to protect the public from spending excessive amounts of money on parties.