Municipal bodies to cover cost of Covid funerals

GHAZIABAD/NOIDA: Uttar Pradesh on Saturday ordered that municipal bodies will bear the cost of the funeral of Covid victims.

Following this, the Noida Authority and the Ghaziabad municipal corporation (GMC) waived the charges. A cremation at the Antim Niwas crematorium in Noida Sector 94A, reserved for those who died of Covid, earlier costed ₹3,000. Noida authority officials said if a person was charged at the crematorium, they can complain to Noida authority senior manager Vyas Rawal (9205691103), and manager Roop Vashistha (9205691600).

In Ghaziabad, the cremation is carried out at Hindon Ghat in Mohan Nagar, and Noor Nagar Ghat in Raj Nagar Extension.

The GMC has opened a helpline +91-8178016801 for complaints.

GB Nagar caps ambulance fare

On the back of complaints of overcharging, the Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate on Saturday capped charges on ambulances ferrying Covid patients.

As per the orders, first 10-km rates of oxygen free, oxygen equipped and ventilator support ambulances for ₹1000, ₹1,500 and ₹2500, respectively. The ambulances could charge ₹100 for each km there on.

The charges are for one-side trip. After dropping the Covid patient at the hospital, ambulance providers cannot ask for return trip charges, the order states.

If the ambulance demanded extra charges, patients or their families can lodge a complaint on police help line number -112 and help line number18004182211 of Covid control room, it said. Action will also be taken against the vehicle owner / ambulance operator as per the provisions contained in The Epidemic Disease Act 1897 Uttar Pradesh Pandemic Covid-19 Regulations 2020, it read.