the goan I network
MARGAO
Chairperson Babita profusely apologised to the citizens on behalf of the Council for the serious administrative lapse, saying the Council had indeed erred in issuing the order when the religious bodies and heads of crematoriums and kabrastan could have been requested to make the necessary arrangements. “What the Chief Officer had dispatched to the religious bodies ought to have been a request and not an order. Because, the Municipality was told by the Director of Municipal Administration to find out from the owners of the existing burial grounds and crematoriums whether their ground could be used by persons professing any faith,” Babita told a delegation of citizens led by Adv Rajiv Gomes.
Babita, however, hastened to add that the Municipal order was certainly not meant to create any communal unrest in the society, saying the Council had taken the decision purely on humanitarian ground. “The Council has realised its mistake and I have apologised to the citizens if the order has hurt their sentiments. But, certainly, it was not intended to create communal unrest in the society,” she said, adding that the issue has been amicably settled now.
Replying to a question, the Chairperson said she has asked the Chief Officer to identify land for cremation or burial ground on a priority basis since the government has promised to earmark funds for the acquisition.
Adv Gomes later told the media that the Municipality should have consulted the priests and the heads of the crematorium and kabrastan before passing the order.
