MCD discriminates on funeral pyres?

The CIC’s action came following an RTI plea by Subhash Chandra Aggarwal,who had sought information regarding alleged discrimination related to semi-VIP pyres (which have grills around them) in Nigambodh Ghat Cremation Ground here.

“The grills erected around these three pyres are for cremation ceremony of only selected individuals,” Aggarwal had claimed.

Unsatisfied over the replies by both the PIO and First Appellate Authority (FAA),Aggarwal had moved the transparency watchdog.

“The appellant has been trying to being to the attention the fact that in funeral pyres at Nigambodh Ghat on the bank of the river Yamuna… it appears that discrimination has been done in cremation of dead bodies.

“In a democracy that proclaims equality amongst all human beings,the existence of such a practise encouraged by any public authority would be a matter of grate shame,” the CIC observed in its order.

The appellant produced before the Commission a letter given by MCD stating that the so called semi-VIP pyres were constructed at Nigambodh Ghat 25 years back.

On the other hand,DDA,which had made the platforms and the cremation facilities informed the appellant that the platforms and pyres were made in 2006.

“DDA also states that they did not provide any semi-VIP pyres at the cremation ground. The DDA officials have also confirmed that when they inspected the cremation ground on July 3,they found that railings have been provided in a temporary manner around one of the platforms having three pyres. The appellant’s allegation is that this is being treated as a semi-VIP pyre by the administration.

“From evidence produced before the Commission,the appellant’s allegation that the PIO of MCD has been providing misleading information appears to be correct… the Commission treats this as an attempt by the PIO of MCD to obstruct the giving of correct information,” the CIC said.

The Commission issued summons to the PIO of MCD to showcause why penalty and disciplinary proceedings under should not be recommended against him for misleading the Commission and not being present at the hearing,it said in the order.