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.
During the meeting, Sonia expressed her unhappiness over the manner in which the State party leaders handled the controversy over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's expensive wristwatch, the sources said.
Comments
Remove both siddu and parameshwar from their respective positions. Allow new faces otherwise congress in the state will repeat the same result in state which happened with congress in the central. Siddu is responsible for Hebbal loss.
Well said Ibrahim, no need opposition party to Siddu/Cong when Parameshwar is there. Most Congis are more than Sanghis only diff is CHEDDI is covered in white Lungi/Pyjama.
G Parameshwara is unfit for any post.
Dr. Parameshwar is playing petty politics within Congress as he is eying on the CM post. Instead of his intentions of removing Sidda Ramayya, he should be removed from KPCC president post and Home ministry, as he handled MP Ananthkumar case very badly. His silence on Ananthkumar's rhetoric against Islam indicates that he is very soft to RSS/Saffron thugs.
The KPCC president should be without any ministerial portfolio and best candidate will be MLC Ugrappa. High command should take necessary steps and all vacant posts of Chairmanships and other to be filled with honest congressmen as soon as possible.
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