Amid confirmed reports that bodies of the Covid dead were being dumped in rivers, the Uttar Pradesh government has ordered district, police and Panchayati raj officials of the state to ensure that financial aid is provided to poor families to cremate their family members with dignity.  

Additional Chief Secretary (Panchayati Raj) Manoj Kumar Singh has written to officials to ensure that the practice of ‘Jal Pravah’ is discouraged and prevented. The order says that a grant of Rs 5,000 each has been sanctioned and released for poor families so that they can cremate their dead according to a fixed protocol.

The letter acknowledges that the mortal remains of people dying of Covid-19 or other ailments are being thrown into the river for various reasons. That includes shortages of firewood, money, onerous traditional rituals and fear of Covid. The letter says immediate financial aid must be given to the victim's family from the allocated funds by the government’s various schemes.

If the family members refuse to cremate the dead bodies, in that case in rural areas, the Gram Panchayats must do so, using the Rs 5000 that is allocated to poor families for cremation of those dying from Covid-19. “If there is death due to Covid, a sum of Rs 5,000 must be given to the family immediately for cremation. If the families are not willing to participate in the cremation, then it must be done by Gram Panchayat using the fund. The Department of Urban Development has also been given the authority to release Rs 5,000 for cremation of people who have succumbed to Covid”. But “under no circumstances should bodies be found floating in rivers. If a death happens due to Covid, the cremation should be performed as per protocol,” the order says.

All district officials have been alerted to prevent people from dumping the bodies in the river and many teams have been deployed to make sure people cremate their family members who succumbed due to Coronavirus at designated places.

The letter states that in case bodies are still found floating in rivers, they must be cremated with respect, and to prevent the further spread of Covid. 

The government has also directed the officials to provide immediate help of Rs. 1000 to the relatives of the victim if they are going hungry.

In a letter to the municipal commissioners, the government has reminded them that it is the municipal corporation’s duty is to provide cremation and burial places for the deceased and has directed them to provide free cremation for those who have died of Covid 19 and there is a fund allocated for the same.

In case family members of the deceased are unable to carry out the last rites, the rituals will be conducted by local authorities. The state government also reiterated the need for following COVID-19 protocols such as wearing a PPE kit and hand gloves during funeral.

The Yogi Adityanath government is also taking the help of various religious leaders to create awareness among people not to dump bodies in the rivers. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked officials to talk directly with religious leaders on the issue. The letter further directs officials that cremation must be done in accordance with instructions in a letter issued by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on May 14.

Earlier on Sunday, the Centre had directed Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to prevent dumping of dead bodies in the Ganga and its tributaries, and focus on their safe disposal and a dignified cremation after corpses were seen floating in these rivers following a spurt in the number of coronavirus cases.