Gas crematoria for Punjab

For The Sunday Tribune, Chandigarh | June 25, 2017

Kaffeeklatsch: 'Media would not be intimidated', dated June 11, was a good read. Heera Chand Guglani's verse on the futility of expenditure on last rites drew my attention in particular. When I was a Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab (2004-2016), the then Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, who also held the additional charge of Tarn Taran, once requested Rs 16 lakh to set up a gas crematorium in the holy city. A delegation, sent by the DC to apprise me of the project, convinced me that gas crematoria cost less than electric ones. I told the DC to set up gas crematoria in Amritsar and Tarn Taran. Poor families, who can't bear the cost of wood, ghee, etc., should use the facility for cremation as it costs Rs 1,000 or less. Villages in 20 km radius of the Tarn Taran facility can cremate the body in three hours after death. I had hoped to set up a similar facility in Goindwal, but I retired. I now urge the Tarn Taran Deputy Commissioner to take the lead. In winter when I visit the district, I shall certainly push the idea.

Manohar Singh Gill, New Delhi

2017.06.25_The Tribune_Gas Crematoria in Punjab.pdf

Download PDF • 403KB