Caretakers of city crematoriums demand release of Rs 50 lakh; four months wages

Aurangabad, July 8:

The caretakers (Masan jogis) of crematoriums have demanded the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) immediate release of their four months wages and Rs 50 lakh grants spent on arranging wood for the pyre.

The AMC performed last rites upon 2,000 persons dying of Covid-19 in the past one and a half year. The last rites are done free of cost. The last rites are performed by the AMC's authorised NGO and caretakers. The AMC assured of granting Rs 2,500 to perform last rites on each Covid-19 body. Hence the dues of Rs 50 lakh have not been released to the caretakers.

According to the caretaker of Pushpanagari crematorium, Govind Gaikwad said, " We have landed into financial trouble has the AMC has not released the expense of wood (grants) and our salaries of the last four months. The last rites were performed on more than 1,000 bodies in the Pushpanagari crematorium. Hence I am waiting for the dues of Rs 25 lakh."

The last rites were performed in crematoriums at Mukundwadi, Pushpanagari, Central Naka, Pratapnagar, Begumpura, Ambedkarnagar and Kailasnagar. Besides, the burials were also done in five graveyards. Many a time, the relatives of the deceased remain absent while performing the last rites.