Hyderabad, December 24
Even as preparations are underway for the funeral of former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao on the shores of Hussain Sagar Lake, an NGO today opposed it on environmental grounds. The forum for Better Hyderabad opposed the Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to cremate the former Prime Minister near the lake, quoting a High Court judgement, Municipal Corporation Hyderabad (MCH) Act and on the environmental protection issue.
The Chairman of the forum, Capt K. Rama Rao said they had expressed their resentment by sending letters to the offices of Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (to which the ‘cremation land’ belongs) and the MCH. “We are also trying to go to the court on this issue,” he added.
Capt Rao said as per the MCH Act, one should not perform cremation at places other than those earmarked for the purpose. The Act did not allow even if one wanted to do it on their own land.
“The present spot is a water bed, which is adjacent to Sanjeevaiah Park.”
The Andhra Pradesh High Court, in a judgement, pertaining to cremation of former Chief Ministers of the state, M Chenna Reddy (done in Indira Park) and N.T. Rama Rao (done near Hussain Sagar lake) clearly stated that cremation could not be done in public parks.
Capt Rao said another aspect of concern was that nothing should be done on the shores of the lake. —UNI
