Mayor wants boards at Corpn burial grounds saying no charge for cremation
CHENNAI: Cutting across party lines, the corporation councillors on Tuesday alleged large scale corruption by the burial ground assistants. Though the cremation is free of cost in the corporation-run burial grounds, the staff continue to fleece the bereaving families.
They charge from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 to cremate or bury the bodies, a few councillors informed the corporation authorities during the monthly council meet.
“There are four burial grounds in my locality, including one for Christians. The staff there demand a bribe of Rs 10,000 for a burial especially if the dead was not a member of the local church association. Usually, people don’t argue about paying money in that situation,” said AIADMK councillor KPK Sathishkumar of Ward 182. “The burial ground is maintained by the church, and they have the keys too. In another burial ground that’s common for all the community, again the corruption goes unchecked.”
Lamenting over the number of complaints he had raised to the zonal officers, he also accused them of being careless. “I told them to keep a board in front of the burial ground so that bribes can be avoided. The officials pasted a sticker instead,” the councillor added.
Echoing the views of his colleague, independent councillor KV Thilakar (Ward 92) said that the grievances raised to the Mayor and Corporation Commissioner regarding bribe collected at these places have fallen on deaf ears.
“The situation is worse in my ward. Residents of Mogappair east claim that the charges surged from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000. I’ve raised many complaints during council meetings, but nothing has changed,” Thilakar said seeking the intervention of mayor and commissioner.
Mayor R Priya stated that the Corporation-run burial grounds and crematoriums were duty-bound to provide free service to the people.
“We’ve instructed officials to keep a board at the gate itself. Even ward members should create awareness among the people. We’re planning to initiate an online system for the same on grounds,” Priya responded pacifying the councillors.