Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has directed the Directorate of Municipal Administration and the Directorate of Panchayats to submit a final status report indicating action they propose to initiate against municipalities and panchayats that fail to provide a place for final rites and proper facilities for disposal of dead bodies.
The commission headed by A D Salkar passed the directive in response to a complaint filed by Dr Anthony Rodrigues in May 2014 alleging non-availability of burial and cremation grounds in different parts of Goa and violation of the rights of the dead person to have a decent burial or cremation.
The Director or Urban Development had earlier produced before GHRC, a government circular issued on March 31, 2016 wherein municipal councils were directed to identify suitable land in their jurisdiction for last rites facilities. Thereupon, GHRC had directed the respondents to file a status report.
Advocate Satish Sonak, appearing on behalf of the complainant submitted that there is no compliance of the circular in most of the municipalities. The matter has now been adjourned to October 7, 2016
