Mangaluru: August 9, 2015, DHNS

Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo has said that the cremation grounds in the city, including the ones at Kadri, Nandigudde and Boloor, would be soon provided with basic amenities and better road connectivity with the help of the city corporation and local residents.

Addressing reporters after inspecting the various development works at Kadri here on Saturday, the MLA said the government had sanctioned Rs 70 lakh for the development of the Kadri cremation ground.

A meeting would be convened on Friday to discuss the issue and a regional committee formed to monitor the progress of the work.

The gas-based crematorium in Boloor will be converted into an electric crematorium within six months, making it the first such facility in the district. Tender has been called for and the work order issued on Monday, he said, adding that a Bengaluru-based company would provide the new facility.

He said a blueprint would be prepared for the development of Nandigudde crematorium and steps taken to get government grants. Silicone vessels have been put in the Bengre crematorium. The MLA said the crematorium at Shaktinagar could be a model for other cremation grounds. The burial grounds of Muslims and Christians are being maintained by themselves. If a need arises, they too will be developed with the help of the people.

Answering a query, Lobo said the MCC had a system in place to handle unidentified bodies at Wenlock hospital. Such bodies could be donated to medical colleges or to the MCC. He said as a few human rights activists had demanded that unidentified bodies be handed over to them and that the DC had directed the hospital staff to look at the possibility, depending on the circumstances. A meeting will be convened soon to clear the confusion, he said. He said a Kadri Bayalu Ranga Mandira will be built at a cost of around Rs 35 lakh at Kadri ground. It would help in conducting stage functions as well as sports activities. A sum of around Rs 27.5 lakh would be spent on Ranga Mandira, Rs five lakh to level the ground and other purposes and around Rs 3.5 lakh for lighting. The government has sanctioned Rs one crore for Kudmul Ranga Bhavana in the city and attempts are being made to get Rs one crore more for the purpose.

MCC computerisation

Lobo said the work on computerisation of MCC would be completed within a year. A meeting was conducted on Friday to discuss the issue. It is an ambitious project of converting all the facilities, including property tax, issue of licence, birth/death certificates, filing of applications, payment of bills online, etc. The work will be done by expert companies, with Keonics as the nodal agency.

Grants of AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) scheme and ADB-II can also be utilised for the purpose, he said. The renovation of Town Hall will be completed by Children’s Day (November 14).

Courtesy: Deccan Herald