Vasco: Taking cognisance regarding mismanagement of the crematorium at Khariwada, the Mormugao Municipal Council engineer Augustine Mesquita, junior engineer Vikesh Fadte, and councillor Narayan alias Dilip Borkar inspected the site on Tuesday morning.
The civic body has issued notices to two families who have illegally occupied the rooms belonging to the crematorium and have been asked to comply with the instructions within three days. Meanwhile, a person managing the crematorium at Bogda has allegedly constructed an illegal structure and rented it out and the MMC has issued a notice to him as well.
After Khariwada crematorium’s earlier caretaker passed away, the current in charges are allegedly exploiting the people, stated officials. “The new caretaker is charging anything between Rs 5,000 to 7,000 for the wood required to perform the final rites and record of dead bodies cremated here is also not maintained properly,” stated a source.
Murgao Hindu Samaj group had discussed the matter with the MMC and had requested to hand over the crematorium work to them and the decision will be taken soon, stated a councillor.
There is also no pathway for people to dispose off the ashes in the sea and many are forced to do so in the open. No cremation was allowed after 7 pm earlier but the new caretaker is doing it according to his whims and fancies. Two families are residing in the office illegally and have been asked to vacate the room within three days.
“A worker will be appointed to look after the crematorium and three persons have already applied for the same out of which one will be selected. Once the Directorate of Municipal Administration gives its nod, the remuneration will be finalised. The person will be responsible for keeping the record of the bodies cremated and he will also be asked to arrange his accommodation elsewhere,” said councillor Borkar.
