HC seeks push for more crematoria

SHILLONG, April 8: The High Court of Meghalaya has directed the state government to obtain necessary approvals within four weeks for the construction of electric hybrid crematoria at New Shillong Township, Tura, Jowai, and Nongpoh.
According to a public interest litigation (PIL), the number of crematoria in Meghalaya is inadequate for disposing of the dead by the Khasi and Jaintia communities apart from the Hindus. It also noted that the existing crematoria are too far apart.
Moreover, the Khasi and Jaintia people have expressed their unwillingness to share a crematorium with the Hindus, making the problem more acute.
Hearing the PIL on Tuesday, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh said the court tried to resolve the problem at the interim stage by appointing an Amicus Curiae and asking him to sit with the district magistrates toward persuading the two communities to share the existing crematorium.
Amicus Curiae N Syngkon submitted before the court that he held some meetings with government officials and sought time to file a report.
“On hearing him, we understand that nothing concrete has taken place and only proposals at the initial stage have been mooted to these two communities to resolve the problem in the above way, as an interim measure,” the court said.
Additional Advocate General K Khan filed a report of the government on March 27 following the court’s orders on October 25 last year and March 4.
The report enumerated a few grandiose projects proposed to be undertaken by the government – electric hybrid crematoria at New Shillong Township for Rs 5.53 crore, at Tura for Rs 4.69 crore, at Jowai for Rs 5.16 crore, and at Nongpoh for Rs 4.9 crore.
The report stated that administrative approval has been obtained, but further approvals from other authorities, such as the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, are awaited.
The scheduled time of completion is 24 months from the date of sanction. “From this averment, it is clear that the date from which these crematoria will be operational is very uncertain,” the court observed.
“However, the report also mentioned completed projects, i.e., scientific crematorium (eco-friendly) for the Seng Khasi at Syllei-Iawkein, Nongstoin, Khliehtyrshi village, Jowai, and Jhalupara in Shillong,” the court noted.
“As far as the new projects are concerned, the state government was directed to obtain necessary approvals within four weeks from the date. The approving authorities shall act accordingly,” it added. The Amicus Curiae, directed earlier to hold meetings with the district magistrates and representatives of the communities concerned, has been asked to file a comprehensive report in the court before May 8, the next hearing date.