TS buries cremation plot applications

Out of 8,685 gram panchayats, only 4,854 have cremation grounds

Lack of cremation ground has become a major problem in all districts in the state. The Telangana state government has received over 4,000 application for setting up cremation grounds. However, only a few of them are cleared.

Though it was decided to use the NREGA funds to set up cremation grounds in villages last year, it remains only on paper.

Jupally Krishna Rao, minister for rural development department, said, “The Centre owes NREGA arrears of over `500 crore to Telangana. This has led to a cash crunch. We have decided to mobilise the funds on our own to set up cremation grounds. This is a serious problem in all districts.”

In Telangana, there are 8,685 gram panchayats and only 4,854 have cremation grounds. In the current financial year, the department has set a target to set up 3,444 cremation grounds. Though works have started in 206 locations, none of them is complete.

With a higher land cost, the department is shying away from purchasing private plots to house cremation grounds.

Due to lack of cremation grounds, people are forced to perform the last rites on the banks of tanks, canals, etc. When the government launched the grama jyothy scheme in 2015, it invited applications from all villages seeking opinion on urgent works.

The highest number of applications were related to cremation grounds, exposing the serious nature of the issue. A similar problem is faced in the municipalities and corporations areas.

The rural development department has been entrusted with cremation grounds. But due to fund crunch, it has not taken up any work since two years.