PIL seeking facilities at cremation grounds
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 22: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking improvement of infrastructural facilities at all the cremation grounds in Jammu, Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rajesh Bindal has issued notice to Commissioner Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department and Jammu Municipal Corporation.
In the PIL filed by Advocate Sumit Nayyar, it has been submitted that Jogi Gate Cremation Ground has become the worst victim of administrative apathy, which is now resulting in harassment to the people visiting this place of performing last rites.
“The electric cremation plant was never put to use at Jogi Gate even after many years of its inauguration thereby rendering the infrastructure worth crores of rupees useless while on the other hand the respondents have so far failed to modernize the work which is hampering renovation of the cremation ground”, the petitioner further submitted.
He also drew the attention of the Division Bench towards cremation ground at Bahu Fort and said, “this place is also the victim of apathy. Similarly, the cremation ground at Shiv Nagar has a deep drain all along its sides and it is completely uncovered thereby emanating intolerable smell much to the discomfort of the visitors”.
“The cremation ground at Shiv Nagar, Gadigarh Chatha is also in bad shape while as cremation ground at Bhour Camp has no sheds, no sitting arrangement and no water facility”, the petitioner further submitted, adding “similarly the cremation grounds at Akalpur, Sangrampur and Patnayal lack basic facilities”.
He also highlighted the pitiable condition of biggest graveyard at Gujjar Nagar.
After hearing the petitioner in person, the DB issued notice to the respondents to show cause as to why the petition be not admitted to hearing.
Senior AAG S S Nanda accepted notice on behalf of the Housing and Urban Development Department and sought time to file response.
Accordingly, DB listed the PIL for hearing on April 28.
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