The Maharashtra government will implement a 90-day programme to enhance burial ground facilities across Mumbai, Industries Minister Uday Samant said on Monday, reported news agency PTI.
Responding to a calling attention motion raised by BJP member Manisha Chaudhari in the assembly regarding the Kandarpada burial ground in Dahisar, Samant said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has been directed to conduct a survey of reserved land for burial grounds under the Development Plan (DP), reported PTI.
“Burial grounds will be developed on these plots based on local needs. In 90 days, reservation of burial grounds and their funds will be worked out,” he said.
The BMC currently manages 10 burial grounds for Christians, while 42 are under private management. For the Muslim community, 17 burial grounds are under municipal management, and 67 are privately managed.
“A dedicated committee will be formed to develop a structured framework for cremation and burial services across urban local bodies. This framework will take into account factors such as population growth, urban expansion, and available land resources. The government aims to conduct funerary services in line with guidelines issued by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC),” Samant said, reported PTI.
Aslam Shaikh (Congress) and Raees Shaikh (Samajwadi Party) stressed the need for steps to ensure buried bodies decompose at the earliest.
Chaudhari said the lack of a disinfection process for bodies poses health risks.
In response, Samant said burial takes place in a traditional manner and no disinfection process is followed, reported PTI.
Mega recruitment drive to take place after 150-day programme to streamline processes, says Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said his government will undertake a mega recruitment drive after completing a 150-day programme aimed at cadre restructuring, updating recruitment rules and finalising compassionate appointments, reported news agency PTI.
Responding to a calling attention motion in the assembly regarding vacancies under Scheduled Tribes (ST) category, Fadnavis said all departments have been directed to complete internal reforms before finalising vacancy figures.
“The government has already filled over one lakh posts as part of the previously announced recruitment of 75,000 positions. We will not hold back on recruitment where needed,” he said, reported PTI.
A total of 6,860 individuals are currently employed on ST-reserved posts without valid caste verification certificates, with many having served for more than 20 years, he told the House.
“These posts have been declared supernumerary, which means, they will not be eligible for promotions, nor will their posts be continued after retirement. The posts are now vacant and will be filled. Of these, 1,343 ST-reserved have already been filled and the recruitment process for remaining positions is underway,” the Maharashtra CM said, reported PTI.
To expedite caste verification and simplify documentation, the government is exploring blockchain-based record systems, Fadnavis said.
(With inputs from PTI)
