Union Minister Uma Bharti wants electric crematoriums to be shut

Lucknow, Oct 08: Union minister Uma Bharti has puzzled the environmentalists by suggesting electric crematoriums, used on the river banks, should be shut and that bodies must be burnt in a traditional way with minimum use of wood.

The water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation minister, validated her statement by saying religious leaders have always disapproved use of electric crematoriums. The BJP MP from Jhansi made such a statement at a conference on "Cleaning of Indian Rivers" organised by Teri on Tuesday.

A committee was also formed by the Union Minister to study and recommend technologies that can cut down on river pollution from crematoriums. The committee consists of director, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), secretary, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and a senior professor of IIT-Kanpur.

"Instead of electric crematoriums, we are looking at burning bodies with less wood. We are asking people not to use electric crematoriums on ghats," said Bharti.

The minister is now batting for CNG crematoriums which according to her are not opposed by the religious leaders. And as per the minister, such crematoriums neither pollute so much nor leave bodies partially burnt.

The most common problem with traditional way of cremation is that several bodies are left partially burnt and burning of excessive wood also causes pollution. These unburnt bodies cause major bacterial pollution along the banks of the rivers.

At present, electric crematoriums are the most efficient option and experts have been recommending it in all policy measures for rivers.

OneIndia News