Source: The Hindu Date : 06.07.2009

Burial, cremation charges fixed by corporation

Staff Reporter

Photo: P. Goutham

Do not pay more: The Salem Corporation has installed boards carrying information on the charges collected for funerals at the Kakkayan burial ground. —

SALEM: The Salem Corporation has started installing boards carrying information on the charges collected for funerals at the burial grounds and burning ghats within city limits.

The initiative was taken following widespread complaints that the workers managing the burial grounds and burning ghats were collecting excess charges for the funerals. Councillors cutting across party affiliations raised this issue in the council meeting held a few months ago. They claimed that the workers were collecting Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 3,000 from the people.

Following this, the Corporation’s Standing Committee on Public Health conducted a meeting and fixed the charges for conducting funerals at its burial grounds and burning ghats. It was decided to collect Rs. 500 as charges for burial and Rs. 1,300 for cremation.

Of the total charges, the registered workers engaged in the funeral services would have to pay Rs. 50 (for burial) and Rs. 100 (for cremation) to the Corporation.

The Corporation council had approved the decision and urged the civic officials to implement it immediately.

In the first phase the civic body decided to install information boards and ensure proper monitoring.

The Corporation also decided to allot special funds for improving all the 48 burial grounds and burning ghats in the city.

The construction of building, compound walls, erection of name boards and maintenance works would be carried out with the funds.