Acting on a complaint filed by Dr Anthony Rodrigues for having state-owned burial/cremation grounds in every taluka, GHSC had asked the Directorate of Panchayats and Directorate of Municipal Administration to direct all panchayats and municipalities to make suitable arrangements for a cremation ground to be used by the Hindu community irrespective of caste and creed, a kabrastan to be used by Muslim community and burial ground for Christians and to also keep a small portion reserved for persons not professing any faith in each cremation and burial ground.
As the three municipalities failed to adhere to the directives, GHSC on Friday added them as respondents and asked them to reply based on the direction and issued notices to submit a compliance report.
Adv Satish Sonak, appearing for the complainant, also placed on record a copy of Herald dated October 4, 2016 which has been taken on record by GHSC.
Speaking to Herald, Sonak said, “Has the government demarcated any land for the dead in the Regional Plan (RP)2021, as the death ratio over the years has been going on increasing and this is an important part as how much land is available.”
Recently, Margao Municipal Council had resolved to reserve one wing out of the four wings at St Sebastian Church cemetery for person professing any faith, however, after objections stating that while the parishioners have reverence for persons of all faiths, the cemetery being an integral part of the Roman Catholic Church, burial of persons of other faiths, is not permissible as per the Catholic tenets, this was withdrawn respecting the sentiments of the Catholic community.
