Bengaluru, Jul 25: The Karnataka government on Saturday announced a waiver of crematorium fees for those who succumb to the COVID-19 infection in Bengaluru and said the city civic body would bear the cost.
It said that from now on, families of the COVID deceased need not pay any fees fixed by the city civic body- Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)- across 12 electric crematoriums in the city.
"There were reports in the media about difficulties faced in performing the last rites of those who died due to COVID-19 infections. Aimed at resolving those difficulties, certain decisions have been taken," Revenue Minister R Ashoka said.
He told reporters here that BBMP had fixed Rs 250 as the cremation fee, Rs 100 for the ash collection pot and Rs 900 for the bier (bamboo stretcher on which the body is carried), all of which have been waived for COVID deaths.
"So it will be a waiver of Rs 1,250 per cremation. The BBMP will bear this cost," he added.
Ashoka also announced Rs 500 per body incentive for the personnel who conduct the last rites of COVID victims.
"This is in recognition of their services at a time when family members of the deceased are not ready to touch the body and not ready to take the body in some cases," he said.
Noting that the government has identified 23 acres of land at five places around Bengaluru for burial or cremation of COVID victims, Ashoka locals in all these areas are protesting against it.
Appealing to the people for cooperation during these difficult times, he said the government's intention was to ensure respectful burial or cremation for the deceased.
"Obstructing it is not right, it is not Indian tradition," he said.
Pointing out that it takes almost a day's time for a COVID victim's body to be handed over for burial or cremation, he said "scientifically, according to experts and doctors, the virus will not remain alive for more than three hours.
...Also, bodies are either burnt or buried eight feet below. So there will not be any problem for those living in nearby areas and it will not spread infection. Cooperate with humanity," he said.
"These lands identified are for all religions and communities and once the pandemic subsides, can be used for other deaths as well," he said.
Comments
When poor people are killing daily they all are sleeping.
But when RSS goons are killed by gang war, they supporting that Goons. Because BJP- itself is a RSS Goons-Terrorists Party.
It is not bjp mps meeting it is the only rss announced meeting. By the support of media their rest of all ongoing meeting never came out or anounced. Why there is so much importat for rss group why not important given to INDIAN citizens life . Rss people daily taking innocent INDAIN citizens life all arround INDIA for NO reason.
Why our PM isdoing double standard. Where ever he go and speak he omit poison with castism. Attacking on minority Dalits. No the bjp criminal leaders forget democracy recently they were trying to de stabilize.. no bjp state government all over INDIA. Means they are playing against INDIAN citizens mandate. Insulting our great freedom fighter even they comparing MAHATMA GANDHI with their low grade rss people. Who never participated for INDIA's independence strugle. Our pm never respect human life even he did
not taken care of his wife then what he will take care of us . One who supporting this group must think and compare common man's life and security after INDEPENDENCE with present bjp govt's rule. Always fighting communal clash financial crise ; scarcity of food ; increase in common food items rate.
What will happen till next election - Only GOD have to save us from this dirty organization.
Jai Hind !
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