Government Speeds Up Action on Villages Without Cremation Grounds After MLC Amit Gorkhe Raises Issue
– State to prepare final list, prioritise cremation grounds through DPC funds; shared facilities and land acquisition also under consideration.
Mumbai / Pune : The Maharashtra government has accelerated efforts to address the issue of villages lacking cremation grounds after MLC Amit Gorkhe raised the matter through a Calling Attention Motion in the Legislative Council.
During the discussion, Gorkhe highlighted the hardships faced by residents of several rural villages where the absence of cremation grounds and basic funeral sheds causes significant inconvenience during last rites.
Responding to the issue, Rural Development Minister Jaykumar Gore informed the House that the government is preparing a final list of villages without cremation grounds. Funds for the construction of these facilities will be allocated through the District Planning Committee (DPC).
The minister further stated that in villages where cremation grounds are unavailable, their development will be given priority over other infrastructure works to ensure that every village has access to dignified funeral facilities.
As an alternative, the government is also considering the development of shared cremation grounds for neighbouring villages wherever land constraints exist. The minister added that land could be made available through government grazing land (gairan) or, where necessary, through land acquisition.
The government’s response is seen as a positive outcome of Amit Gorkhe’s sustained follow-up on the issue, raising hopes that the long-pending problem faced by many rural communities will soon be resolved.
