The Hindu 12.01.2010
Process on to set up gas-based crematorium
Special Correspondent
The crematorium is proposed to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 80 lakh
Council to adopt resolution banning use of derogatory language
Maintaining order: President of the City Municipal Council N.J. Rajashekhar appealing to the members to remain calm at a meeting in Shimoga on Monday.
SHIMOGA: President of the Shimoga City Municipal Council N.J. Rajashekhar said here on Monday that the process of constructing a gas-based crematorium in the city had been set in motion.
He disclosed this in response to the suggestion by K.S. Gangadarappa at the Council meeting that the construction of the crematorium be taken up soon as the demand for it had been pending since long.
Mr. Rajashekhar said that it was proposed to construct the crematorium at a cost of Rs. 80 lakh and the tender for its civil works, estimated to cost Rs. 40 lakh, was in the process of being finalised.
He said a team of the municipal staff visited Pune to study the pattern of the gas-based crematorium. Details about the similar crematoria constructed in parts of Gujarat would also be studied.
He said that the local unit of the Brahamins’ Association had come forward to take up responsibility of the management of the proposed crematorium. Kashi Vishwanath suggested that the cow dung available from the “Gou-shala” situated adjacent to the proposed site of the crematorium be utilised for generating gobar gas for it.
Site allotment
The allotment of sites by the Tunga Rice Mills near bus-stand developed out of its land came in for discussion. S.K. Mariappa said that the mill owners allegedly included two-acre municipal land with their land while allotting the sites.
The council president said that only eight acres of land belonged to the mill, which could be allowed to be allotted only if the plan and the land conversion were approved by the Shimoga Urban Development Authority. The abuses reportedly hurled by the former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda at Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa evoked a heated discussion.
S.N. Channabasappa of the BJP, who raised the issue, said that Mr. Gowda’s remarks was insult to Shimoga district. He demanded that Mr. Gowda seek an apology from the people of the State. He urged that the meeting pass a resolution condemning Mr. Gowda’s remarks.
Mr. Mariappa of the Congress said that the manner in which Mr. Gowda had abused Mr. Yeddyurappa had hurt him too.
He recalled that Minister for Tourism G. Janardhan Reddy too had used indecent words against Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah. He said that the resolution should also condemn Mr. Reddy’s remarks against Mr. Siddaramaiah.
Mr. Rajanna of the Janata Dal (Secular) said that Labour Minister Bache Gowda too had talked “irresponsibly” against Mr. Gowda at a function in Shimoga.
H.C. Yogish said that there was no need for any resolution being passed when Mr. Gowda had expressed regret over his remarks.
Mr. Rajasekhar put an end to the discussion announcing that a resolution banning the use of derogatory language by elected representatives right from the gram panchayats to the Lok Sabha would be adopted.
