7,444 villages in Maharashtra still do not have a crematorium

• Discussed during Legislative Assembly question hour

• Villages without a crematorium will not receive funds for any other development works: Jaykumar Gore, Rural Development Minister

Mumbai – As many as 7,444 villages in rural Maharashtra still do not have a crematorium. Nearly 20% of the villages continue to be deprived of this basic facility. Against this backdrop, the Legislative Assembly discussed the serious condition of funeral facilities and the shortage of crematoriums in rural areas for nearly 40 minutes during Question Hour under a starred question. After MLAs raised the issue, Rural Development Minister Jaykumar Gore informed the House on 8th July that the State Government has decided that “no Government funds for any other development works will be sanctioned to a village unless it produces proof that it has a crematorium.” He added that an ordinance to this effect has already been implemented.

In the Legislative Assembly, MLA Sanjay Derkar had raised a starred question regarding the poor condition of crematoriums in Maregaon taluka (Yavatmal district). He expressed concern that due to the absence of crematoriums or covered funeral facilities, people are forced to perform last rites on riverbanks, open land or private property. During the monsoon, funeral pyres lit in the open are often extinguished by rain, leading to extremely distressing situations. This creates obstacles in performing the last rites of the deceased and causes severe mental and social distress to the bereaved families and villagers.

Replying to the discussion, Rural Development Minister Jaykumar Gore said that all District Collectors are being instructed to prepare detailed reports on how land can be made available in villages that do not have space for a crematorium. A policy is required for acquiring land for this purpose. The Government is also considering whether grazing land (Government pasture land) can be allotted or whether a group of five or six neighbouring villages can jointly develop a community crematorium. In villages where land is already available, priority will be given to constructing covered funeral sheds and providing basic facilities using the Zilla Parishad’s remaining funds and funds allocated through the Guardian Minister.

Editorial Perspective

• If thousands of villages in a developed State still do not have crematoriums even after 78 years of Independence, one is compelled to ask what the rulers of all political parties have achieved so far!
• Rulers of all political parties who make citizens suffer both during their lifetime and even after death! This situation is deeply shameful for them!