South Goa Collector issues SOP for disposal of unclaimed bodies

MARGAO
In a bid to streamline the disposal of unclaimed dead bodies, South Goa District Collector Egna Cleetus has come out with a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the disposal of unclaimed dead bodies and settlement of related expenditure in both the South Goa and Kushavati districts.
The Collector has also constituted a District Level Committee for Disposal of Unclaimed Dead Bodies and related matters, headed by the Deputy Collector. Other members of the panel include the Chief Officer, Accounts Officer, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Medical Superintendent of the South District Hospital, members of local bodies, etc.
The SOP has cast responsibility on the Municipal Chief Officer or the village Panchayat Secretary for initiating the financial process once an unclaimed dead body is disposed of in terms of the established procedure through the concerned Municipal Council/Village Panchayat.
The Chief Officer/Secretary is mandated to maintain a complete and accurate record of each disposal, including details such as the date of disposal, location, identification particulars (where available), and any other relevant information. “Based on these records, a bill or pre-receipt shall be prepared carefully, ensuring that all entries are clear, verifiable, and supported by necessary documentation, and be submitted to the Assistant Accounts Officer of the Collectorate, South Goa District. The duly scrutinised bills and other details shall be placed by the Assistant Accounts Officer before the DLC,” the SOP stated.
The Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), acting as the Chairperson of the Committee, shall then undertake a supervisory review. At this stage, the panel will focus on ensuring that the entire process, from disposal to verification, has been conducted properly and that the claim is justified. Once satisfied, the Chairperson shall certify the bill and forward it to the Assistant Accounts Officer, it added.
Outlining the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, the SOP stated that the Chief Officer of the Municipal Council serves as the executing authority, responsible for ensuring that the disposal is carried out respectfully and that proper documentation is maintained.
The Sub-Divisional Police Officer, on the other hand, will act as the verifying authority, ensuring that legal and procedural requirements have been complied with before any claim is processed.
The Deputy Collector and SDM will provide administrative oversight and certification, ensuring that the process withstands scrutiny and aligns with government norms, while the Assistant Accounts Officer is responsible for financial processing and settlement, ensuring that payments are made promptly and in accordance with norms.
In addition, the Medical Superintendent of the South Goa District Hospital will play a critical role in reporting and data management, providing regular updates on the number of unclaimed bodies and pending cases.