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Cremation costs to be fixed at Bhainsakund
Now those carrying the mortal remains of their near and dear ones will no longer need to haggle over the cremation costs with the pandits at Bhainsakund.
Now those carrying the mortal remains of their near and dear ones will no longer need to haggle over the cremation costs with the pandits at Bhainsakund.
After receiving a number of complaints about overcharging and bargaining by priests in this cremation ground, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation on Thursday finally stepped in and decided to regulate the rates of priests for performing the last rites.
Hectic bargaining prior to a cremation is a frequently witnessed scene at Bhainsakund. Often the grief-stricken relatives of the dead are taken aback by the business-like attitude of the pandits (known as mahabrahmins) who supervise the cremation.
Mayor Dinesh Sharma told HT, "We will also fix the rates of the wood sold at the cremation ground at par with market rates. We have received a number of complaints from the people that the contractors selling wood in Bhainsakund charge more than double the rates in the absence of any other wood stall at the place. We have also decided to regulate the parking in front of all the crematoriums".
The mayor said a committee had been formed to decide the rates of priests performing the last rites, besides the fixation of rates of wood. The committee consisted of corporator Naveen Kapoor ‘Baba’, Nagendra Singh Chauhan, Manish Yadav, additional municipal commissioner PS Bhadauria and assistant municipal commissioner Rajeshwar Singh.
The committee would consider the views of the common man as well as the priests and ensure that the rates were reasonable for everyone.
There would be special rules for poor and unclaimed bodies. A special fund for such bodies is also proposed.
The mayor said, "It is unfair that the people are harassed by the priests who charge hefty sums to perform the last rites. Those who don't have the money face a dilemma. We need to intervene and regulate the rates to improve the situation."
Additional municipal commissioner RN Pal said, "We will place the rates on a board bearing the numbers of the LMC officials who can be contacted in case anyone is overcharged".
